SKIN DISEASES.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17840, 12 October 1929, Page 22 (Supplement)

SKIN DISEASES.

IN YOUNG PIGS. CAUSED THROUGH NEGLECT. ~ Eczema, or other skin diseases, is usually found in young pigs that are dirty and neglected. Eruptions are ] found on thighs, sides and 'belly in j the form of small blisters that dis- j charge a little fluid, and eventually form scabs. The disease is contagious and may attack the teats and the skin over the milk glands of the sow. Dirty pigs should be washed with soft soap and warm water, and a little sulphur ointment may be rubbed on the sores with the gloved hand. If very young pigs are affected, the sow should be given Epsom salts and green feed, heating food, such as grain, being discontinued for a while. If the sow is affected, the parts should be rubbed with sulphur ointment (one part of sulphur to six parts of olive oil). The sty should be well cleaned but, all litter burnt, the woodwork sprayed with disinfectant and whitewashed with fresh ltmewash to which a few drops of disinfectant have been added.

If the pigs 'are old enough to feed, •give them twice daily in milk or food a half teaspoonful of a mixture of 1 oz. powdered carbonate of magnesia, Aoz. powdered bicarbonate of soda; when the pigs are fit to wean, add 4 oz. flowers of sulphur.

■Old pigs sometimes contract eczema from fatness, poverty, or being overheated. The rash is the same, but becomes thickened, and through the irritation and rubbing the parts become raw and bleeding. A cooling lotion is a strong solution of acetate of lead (4 oz.); in a half pint of water, dabbed on. If bleeding, dust on fuller’s earth (three parts), bonacio acid (one part), powdered alum (one part). Zinc or sulphur ointment, or a mixture of the two may be used. Epsom salts should be given when necessary, and once a day a. teaspoonful of flowers of sulphur, and one of powdered soda bicarb. for pigs over six months old. If the pig is poor, it should be fed well, and given a tonic rather than lowering medicine.