20 SWINE DISEASES 



lesions evolved. There may or may not be tumefaction 

 of the tissues adjacent to the perforation. In all cases, 

 there will be more or less difficulty in deglutition, and in 

 extreme cases there will be aphagia. 



Treatment. The treatment of esophageal perfora- 

 tion depends upon removing the cause and healing the 

 injuries, combined with proper diet. 



Esophagitis 



Esophagitis in hogs is not very common. It may be 

 the result of the injury from foreign bodies, exposure, or 

 infection. 



Catarrhal esophagitis is perhaps the most frequent 

 type of inflammation and may be local or general. The 

 usual lesions evidenced in the acute type consist of con- 

 gestion, infiltration, and tumefaction of the mucous 

 membrane, associated with desquamation of the epi- 

 thelium. Ulceration may occur. The chronic type is 

 characterized by an excessive development of fibrous 

 tissue in the submucosa, and causes the mucous mem- 

 brane to be thrown into folds. Chronic esophagitis is 

 occasionally observed in hogs that are fed exclusively 

 on distillery slops. 



Croupous esophagitis is usually the result of an invasion 

 of Streptococci, although this condition may be associated 

 with hog cholera or pneumonia. The disease is charac- 

 terized by the accumulation upon the mucous membrane 

 of a yellowish or brownish coagulated exudate. 



Phlegmonous esophagitis is usually observed as a 

 sequel of perforation, or the escape of pus into the sub- 

 mucosa from abscesses. This condition is sometimes 

 associated with phlegmonous pharyngitis. The accumu- 

 lated pus or other inflammatory exudate is frequently 

 so extensive that the lumen of the esophagus is entirely 

 closed. 



Tumors 



Tumors of the esophagus are relatively rare. Polypoid 

 fibromas have been observed, and more rarely myxomas 



