DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF SHEEP AND PIGS 483 
3. Stunted or Chronic Indigestion. 
This is a common thing in young pigs when they are 
being weaned and started to feed. Before they get used to it 
strong food such as peas, wheat and corn is too much for 
young pigs' stomachs and causes indigestion. It is also 
caused by worms. 
Symptoms. — The pig seems to eat well but does not 
grow or thrive. 
Treatment. — Prevention is better than cure, and in this 
case is frequently possible by proper care in feeding. 
When young pigs are being weaned they should never 
be fed on hard, hot feed, but should get milk and swill until 
about three months old, and then brought gradually to hard 
feed by giving a little at a time. Young pigs are so much 
troubled with worms that they should get a handful of hard- 
wood ashes and charcoal put in the feed twice a week, one 
handful being enough for six young pigs. Give them plenty 
of salt, for pigs getting ashes, charcoal and salt in this way 
seem to thrive half as well again. When pigs are stunted, 
change from hard to soft feed, and for six pigs give: 
Sulphur pound. 
Bicarbonate of Soda pound. 
Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre ^ pound. 
Mix thoroughly and give a tablespoonful in the feed 
night and morning until they begin to thrive, also give them 
plenty of hardwood ashes, charcoal and salt in the feed, as 
explained above. 
4. Constipation. 
This is liable to affect pigs at any age, but is more often 
noticed to affect stunted pigs. 
Causes. — In young pigs it is generally the result of 
chronic indigestion, or worms in the stomach, while in older 
pigs it is caused by feeding on dry food without getting ex- 
ercise, that is, being kept in a small pen. 
Symptoms. — The pigs are very dull, refuse their food, fie 
down most of the time, and seem fuller than natural. They 
strain to pass something but nothing comes. Young pigs do 
not thrive well. The rectum, or back bowel, is bulged out, 
and in some cases is turned out entirely. They seem full 
and do not eat as they should. If not attended to they be- 
come stunted and pine away until they die. 
