34 



FARMERS' BITLLETTN 874. 



Lico nro coiuinon pests among swino, and vigorous and persistent 

 treatment is reciuired to eradicate them. The farmer should fre- 

 quently examine his hogs about the ears, flanks, and insides of the 

 legs to see if they are lousy. The lice may be readily seen traveling 

 among the bristles, particularly in the parts just mentioned. The 

 eggs, or ''nits,'' are small white oval bodies attached to the bristles. 

 Dippmg does not as a rule destroy the vitality of these eggs. Swine 

 should be dipped repeatedly in order to kill the lice that hatch out 

 of the eggs after the previous dipping. These lice are blood-suckmg 

 parasites, and by biting the hog and sucking blood they cause a great 

 deal of skin irritation. Furthermore, they act as a drain on the 

 vitality of the hog, through the loss of blood which they abstract. 



When lousy the hog 

 is usually restless and 

 rubs on posts and 

 other convenient ob- 

 jects. The coat looks 

 rough and harsh. This 

 pest is transmitted 

 from one animal to 

 another by direct con- 

 tact, or by contact 

 with infected bedding 

 or quarters. 



MANGE. 



Mange, one of the 

 most common of skin 

 diseases, is caused by 

 a mite which feeds on the skin. It is much more common and severe 

 on young stock than on the older animals, although the mature 

 animals as well as the young are likely to become affected if the 

 disease is introduced into the herd. Mange is characterized by the 

 formation of crusty scabs on the face and neck and along the back, 

 and in severe cases the mite may be found on any part of the body. 

 The hair is stiff and erect, giving the pig a very unthrifty appearance. 



All newly purchased stock should be examined for lice and other 

 skin diseases, and if any are found the hog should be treated before 

 he is turned with the rest of the herd. 



Fig. 14.— Male hog louse ( Hsematopinus suis). Enlarged. 



DIPPING TO DESTROY VERMIN. 



To free hogs from vermin they should be dipped two or more times 

 at intervals of about two weeks, preferably 15 to 16 days for lice. 

 Several dippings may be required before complete eradication is 



