THE FARMER.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 23 August 1911, Page 3

THE FARMER.

DISEASES OF PIGS

SWINE FEVER

The diagoni.s oi this disease is not always easy, owing to tho modifications it has undergone during the past few yc-ai-s. There is no dubiety at a postmovteui examination, as there is always uleeration of the ilio-cfocnl valve. Tho lionrd of Agriculure however, voqu'no ihe vist.-orn of tlio suspoetfd animal to be sent to London, wliev" their experts examine, make cultures, and only decide wlien the specific bacillus lias been found. Treatment should not bo attempted, as the disensH comes under thu L\»ntagiuiis Diseaso (Anin.iiLs)Act, but owners of pigs should bo advised to yive r.otico to the police authorities immediately, as no compensation is allowed f'>v pigs lhat are found dead, and a few hours may make a difference of many pounds. The owner must state that ho believes tho auinmls to be affected -with swine fever.

Paut uk iext Fb veu

is sometimes met with in sows, and the same treatment as in tki> c;.se of cows may he adopted, but it is very diifieult to trait .sows, /is tlu-y aio proverbially .obstinate, and di-on"

chin^ t.U.mii is a syiuu.s business Many pigs will eat i'-ind in Avhich may;, sulp. added to wash is not usual iy reyocte.l. When it becomes necessary to give a 7i.iu-:!>ous drench thero is no b<-Uer plan than the old method ot cutting oi'i: t.'.io toe of a stout hoot and mti-odui.-.iny ilvit tmd oil it into il.'osow's mowth wiiil'; [iouriu.^ the drcncii in at the other cn<l. ruo'n:ui)i;:) .Hkctu.m. I-i sows tl'.i> roctuin is sn:n times nuslie.l out (luring pa:t:urition, and ih<>-\\ Young' pig-s, f.ud i a f at; t swino ;.t any n^re, aro Jiablo 1o t!-i.s vvvy^ v.n.siy.-litly and pnini'ul ciiulition, I parlicu'nriy in cold wr^nlu'!-. I: is very dirfionit to tX'ntml a now a;:d i rn].!r;co tho ivfcani', and slio \\->.l\ oplur Bti-en^\.h to her bou:i:a> toy, n: d \vli:-!ii sntuics two put in tboy seldom Jast, or else the rectum lias to bo unloaded by the lian-l of the attendant. In young- pigs the operation lis fairly successful if the diet is lookJed after, If, instead of blowing them out liko drums with sloppy food, they be kept empty except for a httb corn to'siay their stomachs' for a few days, all will bo well with them, aid th < old diet may bo gradnutty vesuuic-d ; but -\vitli "large koga

it is better to use a powerful astringent and let the rectum shorten itself partly by shrinking into its proper j position, and paitly by strangulation and sloughing of the outer portion. Of course, it is best, if possible to return and retain it at once, but the owner dnes not usually consult a practitioner for a day or two. The following ointment can be appliod when, from the size or ferocity of the sow. mechanical assistance cannot be given: —

Alum, Exsicc, 1 ounce Adipis, 5 ounces M. ft. unguentum.

Some pracitioners facilitate the slewing process by painting a line of acid, carbolic, fort, at about an inch from the buttock, but it is hardly a safe plp.n to recommend, and owners are ever ready to advertise an unsuccessful remedy. Mild laxative are recommended and a truss for the protruded rectum.