Page:The Hog.djvu/131

129 and beautiful process must occasionally become deranged by various causes, and that hence will arise different diseases of a more or less serious nature. This is, however, less the case in swine than in most of our other domesticated animals, from the circumstance of their stomachs and intestines being prepared by the softening power of their highly mucous villous lining for the reception and digestion of a heterogeneous mass of food, which to other animals would be actually poisonous; rendering it evident that, although the hog in a state of nature is a herbivorous animal, he was also destined to become omnivorous for the service of man.

This disease consists in inflammation of one or more of the coats of the intestines, and is capable of being produced by various irritating causes, as the foul air of badly ventilated styes, unwholesome food, &c.

The symptoms are dullness, loss of appetititeappetite [sic], constipation, spasms, or convulsions, continued restless motion, either to and fro, or round and round, staggering gait, evident symptoms of suffering.

The most successful treatment is warm baths, dry litter, and general warmth and comfort; and internally, purgatives and enemas. Castor oil, calomel, or rhubarb, are the best purgatives for cases of this nature, and the enemas should be of an emollient oleaginous nature. The diet should be restricted to the simplest and lightest, food; oatmeal, porridge, skim-milk, or whey, are the best things.

The hog is frequently attacked by this malady, which generally arises from unwholesome food, cold, or wet filthy styes; and is evidenced by restlessness, cries of pain, rolling on the ground, &c. A dose of castor oil proportionate to the size of the patient, with perhaps a little of ginger in it, and administered in warm milk, will generally give speedy relief; or if the first should not, the dose must be repeated. Some practitioners recommend Glauber's or Epsom salts, but we consider oleaginous purgatives to be best adapted for attacks of colic.

This is a disease very common among all our young domesticated animals, and one that is also repeatedly met with in older ones; a scanty allowance, or unwholesome food will produce it, as will also over feeding, or too nutritious diet It consists in a frequent