The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-12-20

ment OF Agr1cuIture.)
The destruction of vermin is Of inn
portance in the production of swine.
Practically all swine are infested to
certain degree with the common hog
louise, and unless the animals are freed
from this pest it is apt to retard their
growth. Although lice may not be the
direct cause Of death, still their pres
ence lowers the vitality of the hog and
predisposes him to attack from infec-
tious diseases. One Of the first req
uisites in preventing an outbreak of
cholera is to put the hogs in as perfect
a physical condition as possible, and it
is also obvious that the animals should
be in perfect health in order to fatten
rapidly and economically.
Common Swine Pests.
Lice are common pests among swine,
and vigorous and persistent treatment
is required to eradicate them. The
farmer should frequently examine his
hogs about the ears, tanks, and insides
Of the legs to see If they are lousy.
The lice may be readily seen travelling
among the bristles, particularly in the
parts just mentioned. The eggs, or
"nits," are small white oval bodies at
tached to the bristles. Dipping does
not as rule destroy the vitality of
these eggs. Swine should be dipped
repeatedly in order to kill the lice that
hatch out of the eggs after the previ-
GUS dipping. These lice are blood
sucking parasites, and by biting the
hog and sucking blood they cause a
great deal of skin irritation. Further
more, they act as a drain on the vital
ity of the hog, through the loss of blood
which they abstract. When lousy the
hog is usually restless and rubs on
posts and other convenient objects.
The coat looks rough and harsh. This
pest is transmitted from one animal to
another by direct contact, or by con-
tact with infected bedding or quarters.
Mango, one of the most common of
skin diseases, is caused by mite
which feeds on the skin. 1t is much
more common and severe on young
stock than on the older animals, al
though the mature animals as well as
the young are likely to become affected
If the disease is introduced into the
herd. Mango is characterized by the
formation of crusty scabs on the face
and neck and along the back, and in Sc
we're cases the mite may be found on
any part of the body. The hair is stiff
and erect, giving the pig a very I'M
thrifty appearance.
All newly purchased stock should
be examined for lice and other skin
diseases, and If any are found the hog
should be treated before he is turned
with the rest Of the herd.
Dipping to Destroy Vermin.
To free hogs from vermin they
should be dipped two or more times at
intervals of about two weeks, prefer
ably 15 to 16 days for lice. Several
clippings may be required before COM
plete eradication is accomplished. Do
not fail at the same time to clean and
disinfect thoroughly the sleeping quar-
tiers. Cresol compound u. S. P.) may
be used for dipping and disinfecting.
For dipping, mix the proportion of one
gallon to 100 gallons Of water; for dis
injecting, in the proportion Of three
gallons to 100 gallons of water. Coal
tar stock dips and nicotin stock dips
may also be used to treat hogs for lice.
For use they are diluted with water
in accordance with directions sup
piled by the manufacturers. Cresol
compound, coal-tar dips, and nicotin
dips may be purchased at the drug
store.
For mango crude petroleum is more
effective than the ordinary stock dips.
1t is also destructive to lice. The vat
may be filled with the oil or half-filled
with water before the oil is added. If
one dipping does not effect cure the
treatment should be repeated in one
or two weeks.
Use of Crude Petroleum.
Owing to the great variation in the
composition of crude petroleum from
different localities and the greater in
furious effects of some crude oils than
of others, crude petroleum, if of kind
not used before, should be tested on q
few animals before extensive treatment
is undertaken. Animals treated with
crude petroleum should be provided
with plenty of shade and water. They
should not be dipped in oil in very cold
or very warm weather. One of the
best varieties of oil for use on live
stock is Beaumont crude petroleum.
and oils of similar composition are
more likely to be satisfactory than
those which vary widely from it. The
specifications are as follows: Specific