The independent., 1907-04-04


good, healthy assimilation of food in
the pig. Aside from this they must
cause great irritation and thereby dis
turb the digestion and deprave the ap-
petite SO that the pig will not make
the gains that 1t should on the amount
of food consumed. Further ii must
constantly place the pig in such a po-
sition that it will be more liable to
contract contagious diseases should the
animal be placed in position for infec-
tion, such as coming in contact with
diseased herds, ETC. 1t is safe to say,
from the number of hogs infested with
worm, and from the debilitating effects
it produces and the large per cent of
hogs constantly lighting for existence
and warding off diseases. that this
worm is directly and indirectly re-
sponsible for the heavy loss that oc-
ours annually In the hog growing dis
tricts of the United States.
Source of infection. The eggs are
passed with the excreta and dropped on
the ground, and either the eggs or the
embryos Matched from them are eaten
with food by other hogs and these
hogs are then infested. 1t is. however.
necessary for the ground to be moist
and warm for the Matching of the
eggs and yet it has been found that
they have great resisting power and
that they can Withstand heat and ex-
treme dryneSs On account of the
ground becoming infested with these
eggs it is extremely dangerous for
hogs to root or to have the habit of
eating large quantities of earth, be-
cause they are more liable to become
infested. 1t is also fact, as can be
readily seen from the above state
ments, that where herd is free from
worms one individual hog that is in
Tested can contaminate the premises
so that it will be but short time be-
for the entire herd will become infested
with these terrible parasites, and it is
in this way that the parasites have
spread over such large territories and
that such large per cent of hogs is
found to be infested When purchasing
hogs it is therefore important not
only to quarantine them and examine
them for hog cholera, but also to as
certain whether they are infested with
any of these parasites. The further
fact that a large number of hogs are
constantly feeding on earthen floors or
on very dirty feeding floors. or in lots
where the have stagnant water,
makes it a very easy matter for the
average hog to become infested with
THESE Parasites, LOT Tile lt6ulIlS lIUuSHS
and drinking troughs constantly be-
come contaminated with these eggs
and the hogs are continually taking up
fresh infection with each feed 1t seems
that the things to be taken into con-
sideration are the disinfection of the
pens and the adoption of better hygien
1c measures
Symptoms. Unless the pig is in
Tested with a large number of worms
there are no marked symptoms. But
whenever pigs are kept under unfavor-
able conditions, where the feed lot is
dirty and wet and where the in
Tested animals can infect the feeding
troughs and the watering troughs,
then there will be a marked retardation
in growth and these pigs will be in
Tested with a large number of para
sites which materially assist in hinder
ing the growth of the hog. An animal
in this condition is usually termed
"stunted, for, as stated, whenever
worms are present in large numbers
they cause a disturbance of the di-
gestive tract and impair assimilation
and finally produce chronic Indigestion. |
1t is well. whenever examining hogs |
for parasites. to ask the owner or at |
tendant il any parasites have been |
seen to pass with the feces This helps |
In the diagnosis. AS stated, the pigs |
most frequently affected are those |
from 40 10 120 pounds. In /
Older hogs parasites are seldom present |
in sufficient numbers TO do any harm. |
Symptoms of nervousness and of chol- |
era may often be present.
DIR. Youngberg. of Lake Park, MINI,
records I'm Vol. XVII, p. AIS. of the
Journal of Comparative Medicine and I
Veterinary Archives, an outbreak OF
This trouble In swine. He gives the
symptoms as follows: Hair stand |
ing upright: very much emaciated
some were coughing; others paraiyxed
and unable to walk" Two were de-
stroyed and a nccropsy revealed the
fact that they were badly infested
with this worm. Treatment was given.
with the result that the worms were
destroyed and the pigs recovered
IL is not impossible that some OF the
outbreaks that are supposed TO be choi-
IRA are due 10 this worm instead OF TO
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