10 SWINE DISEASES 



Catarrhal cheilitis is of rather common occurrence, 

 particularly in small pigs, and may be either acute or 

 chronic. This condition is usually caused by improper 

 food or undue exposure to very dry atmosphere. The 

 lesions of the acute type consist of small crevices which 

 in extreme cases may bleed freely. In the chronic type 

 the cracks and crevices become more extensive and the 

 surrounding tissues are infiltrated with varying quantities 

 of newly formed fibrous tissue. Catarrhal cheilitis, either 

 acute or chronic, is not a serious condition and is usually 

 corrected when the cause is removed. 



Suppurative cheilitis is occasionally observed. It is 

 usually the result of infection of the subsurface labial 

 tissues with pyogenic bacteria. The usual form of this 

 type of cheilitis is circumscribed, and the lesions are 

 similar to the lesions observed in the usual abscess 

 formation. This condition is relieved by operation. 



Diphtheritic cheilitis is very prevalent in some sections 

 of the United States, particularly in young pigs. The 

 usual causative agent is the Bacillus necrophorus. This 

 microorganism produces a variety of lesions and is of so 

 great economic importance that all of the disease pro- 

 cesses resulting from it will be discussed under the topic, 

 "Necrobacillosis," in Section VIII. (See p. 213.) 



Vesicular cheilitis has been reported as occurring in 

 suckling pigs. This condition is probably caused by a 

 yeast, the oidium albicans. The lesions of vesicular 

 cheilitis are practically confined to the mucous surfaces 

 of the lips. The mucous membrane is tumefied and 

 scarlet red in color, and in the beginning and later small, 

 sharply circumscribed vesicles appear arid the mucosa 

 becomes white, due to the accumulated desquamated 

 epithelium and mucus. The vesicles rupture and the 

 vesicular membrane may slough, leaving a denuded 

 surface, or the vesicular membrane may collapse after 

 the discharge of its content and appear as a small, white 

 mass upon the mucous membrane. This condition is 

 usually not serious, although it may cause considerable 



