The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-08-31
Diseases or Young Pigs.

The season is at hand when diseases os
young pigs are prevalent, and many
losses occur through ignorance and ne
glect of the breeder. The supple
mentaTy cause Of three.fourtbs of the
deaths that occur among young pigs,
according to correspondent in iSlcine
Breeders Journal, are canker, colds,
thumps and scours. He says:
We place canker, or canker sore
mouth, first on the list, as it Is the re-
suit of the impaired condition of the
blood in the SOW, the Impurities IN
which are taken into the pig through
the milk of the dam, and on the
thorough impregnatIon of the system of
the pig with this poison, these cankerous
sores break out, usually followed by
death. What excuse has a breeder for
permitting the systems of his brood
sows. through lack of proper foods, to
become so derauged that their blood,
instead of being pure and life giving,
is rank poisonp
The second cause of death is colds !;
in fact a cold is the primary cause of
the ills of young pigs. The best care
and management are often unable 10
prevent this disease appearing, and it is,
to a certain extent, excusable. The
sudden changes in the weather, over
exertion and sudden cooling off will Of
ten introduce it. The best remedy is
external vigilance and the careful use of
a few simple remedies.
The next disease is thumps. 1t is
claimed no be "fatty degeneration, a
heart trouble and indigestion. The pri-
mary and first cause for thumps is to be
found in the arrangement of the
digestion. The pig IS naturally a
glutton, and will gorge itself, time
and again. on any feed suiting its taste.
In some cases it is prominent in both
the heart and lungs, and in other cases
but slightly attacking one of these or
gans but very strongly defined in the
other. The usual course of this dis
ease is first, stupidness and inactiveness,
followed by varying appetite, then
cough, more or less prominent, depend
ing on its cause, whether a stomach
cough, result of dyspepsia, or a lung
cough, result of cold, which the pig is
made liable to through Its diseased cons
dition. Then the humping of the
sides, which indicates a critical period,
and demonstrates that both the lungs
and heart are more or less affected. 1t
takes several days before this disease
reaches the humping stage, and to the
experienced the symptoms are very
clearly defined, and the following steps
taken to prevent further development
The pigs are exercised regularly in
warm, clear weather their pens are
kept clean and dry, and they are given
all the sunshine possible to get. This
matter of sunshine Is an important
thing. The next step is 10 reduce the
feed of the sow, if pigs are sucking.
II not. reduce feed of the pigs. The
indigestion is corrected by giving small
doses Of nux vomica, little tnrpentine
aid sulphur, the amount of which and
frequency OF the doses depends OF the
condition of the pigs, whecL must be
determined by the breeder. If the pigs
should commence to thump, then small
doses of digitalis must be given II will
be noticed, by the close observer. that
about the time these obstructed respiIa-
tions appear, there is slight fever,
rapidly increasing as the disease pros
crosses. To combat this, sweet spirits
Of inter, aconite or turpentine is used,
quantity and frequency OF doses deter
mined by condition Of pig. The sue
cessful treatment OF thumps, ard 10
fact all diseases OF pigs, necessitate
careful nursing, and close attention,
and the exercise OF a certain amount OF
knowledge, which it is to be hoped all
breeders have.