Swine Plague

Symptoms.—­Extensive inflammation of the lungs, by which it can be distinguished from hog cholera.  There is coughing and labored, painful and oppressed breathing.

It frequently comes as a pneumonia or an inflammation of the lungs and pleural membrane.  The animal is in a sleepy and even comatose condition much of the time.  If it walks it staggers.  The skin reddens in a marked degree and the bowels become constipated.  This disease, though not nearly so common as hog cholera is usually very fatal.  Preventive measures, as indicated for hog cholera, are all important.  Use Pratts Hog Tonic as directed and disinfect with Pratts Disinfectant.

Thumps

Cause.—­Too liberal feeding and lack of exercise, resulting in poor digestion.  The diaphragm contracts suddenly at irregular intervals, thus giving the name to the disease.  The pig becomes unthrifty and stunted.  If the sow is a liberal milker, nursing pigs may be affected.  Treatment is usually preventive, consisting of exercise and careful feeding, Pratts Hog Tonic being added to the feed.

Tuberculosis in Swine

The losses from this disease are beginning to assume enormous proportions.  It results largely from swine drinking the milk of tuberculous cattle.

Symptoms.—­Digestive disorders, such as diarrhoea and vomiting; a stunted condition and a staring coat and breathing more or less labored.

Treatment.—­There is no positive cure for this severe disease, but good sanitation is the best preventive.  Use Pratts Disinfectant freely and maintain health and vigor by regularly using Pratts Hog Tonic.

The importance of testing heads of cattle that may be affected with tuberculosis is thus further emphasized.

Worms

There is perhaps no other animal troubled to so great an extent or with so many varieties of worms, as the hog.  Indeed it is almost a rule with some growers when a hog is sick and it cannot be told exactly what is the matter that they doctor for worms.

There are four species of worms that live in the intestines of swine, resulting in more or less harm.  The Common Round Worm, Pin Worm and Whip Worm develop from eggs taken in in food and water.  The Thornheaded Worm develops from a white grub which swine eat.  To a great extent these are kept in check by Pratts Hog Tonic.

As preventive measures, drain stagnant pools and wet places where these eggs may be found; plough up yards and pastures; do not feed on floors not properly cleaned, or on ground that may have been much used for such feeding; do not give water from a deep well, do not allow the swine to wallow in the drinking trough.

Symptoms.—­Frequently a gluttonous appetite without corresponding improvement in flesh.  Again a much impaired appetite is found; diarrhoea or constipation; excessive itching, causing the animal to rub, especially the hind parts.  These symptoms will only exist when worms are present in large numbers.