Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-03-30
The hog and His Diseases.

n ortifyipg as the fact may be to human
pride, it is nevertheless certain that in
their internal organs and general structure
the hog and bear more closely resemble
man than any other animal. Most of their
diseases, as might be expected, closely re-
semble those Of the human species and re
quire similar treatment.
The diseases of swine, though not very
numerous, are very dangerous, and soon
run their course. The diseases Of this
animal have, from some cause, received
much less attention, and therefore the rem
edies are more the result Of experience
than science.
Bleeding is remedy for most Of the
diseases to which the hog is liable. Yet
how many of our farmers ever saw hog
bled for medical purposes
One of the best places that l can find
for bleeding hog, is in the roof of the
muoth. l have seen them bled from an
artery inside of the fore'leg, just above
the knee. My objection to the latter meth
cd is that l have always found it more
difficult to stop the flow of blood in the ar.
terry than from the roof Of the mouth. My
usual method is to apply cloth well sat
urated with cold water.
One of the most dangerous diseases to
which swine are liable, is one which hav.
always heard termed '.Blind Staggers. .
The first symptoms are a manifest ul east
aess on the part of the pig he wi lay
down for minute or SO and then get up !!
walk about for short time and then ay
down again. This will sometimes continue
for eighteen or twenty hours. l know Of
but one instance where it lasted more Than
twenty.tour hours. Alter short time
the disease becomes more vlolent,the an =
NAL rears Oh its hind legs, foams at the
mouth, grinds its teeth, and is to all ap-
pearances blind. Bleeding, if restorted
to early in the disease, followed up with a
light dose Of castor oil or epson salts, will
give relief.
Another disease, which is often fatal, is
the Kidney Worm; the first symptoms
are weakness of the loins and hind legs,
and if not checked is followed by a general
prostra.ion of the whole body. As soon
as the first symptoms appear, copperas
given at the rate of ! to tablespoonful
daily for one or two weeks will generally
effect cure. Spirits of turpentine rub
bed on the loins, is very good.
The Itch, otherwise known as the
'menge) is another of the most common
of the diseases to which the hog is liable
it is not dangerous, but "mangy' hog
will never thrive. Soapsuds, we'll applied
with q good stiff scrubbing brush, is q
remedy; a ruNri-. stream to wallow in
or p enty o. clean wheat straw, will effec
cure IN time
For coughs and Inflammation of thu
lungs, bleeding should be resorted to, fol
lowed by light doses of some purgatiy'
medicine and one, or half (according t.
size) drachm of ntre.
A good warm bed, with plenty o
straw, is preventive OF all the disease
to which a pig is liable.
have always found it economical Il
provide my pigs with patch of Glove
to roam in during the summer if there i
running stream in ID, so much the bet
ter; but because you provide the pastur
do not stint them in their food. | thin
= it is a great mistake to starve pig throug
the summer and then cram the corn int
him for two or two and half months il
the fall. believe lit pays to fatten
pig gradually. Id
I have always been in the way Of feed
ing my corn ground; | have two hogs
heads which are filed alternately wit
meal, slop from the kitchen, Foud water
One Of the tubs is filed and allowed t
sour, while the otLer is being fed.