66 SWINE DISEASES 



The treatment of hepatic tumors in swine is not 

 practicable. 



Parasites 



Parasitic invasion of the liver is very common in 

 swine. The result of hepatic parasitism has not attracted 

 the attention of the clinician, but it has caused con- 

 siderable concern with the inspectors of meat and food 

 products. In the middle section of the United States 

 the livers of the majority of swine evidence parasitism 

 or lesions indicating previous parasitic invasion and 

 activity. Parasitic conditions of the liver of swine are 

 of considerable economic importance because of the con- 

 demnation, and therefore the loss, of this organ as a 

 food product. 



Coccidiosis 



Liver abscesses containing Coccidia have been ob- 

 served. The conditions are not very common. Johne 

 observed in swine abscesses as large as an apple that 

 contained a Coccidium to which he attributed the 

 cause. 



Stephanurosis 



It is rather common to observe lesions in the liver of 

 swine caused by the Stephanurus dentatum. The mode 

 of entrance of these parasites into the liver may be by 

 way of the hepatic duct, through the portal vein, or by 

 direct migration from the peritoneal cavity through the 

 liver capsule. They establish inflammation accompanied 

 by the formation of pus and later necrosis of the liver 

 tissue. The entire lesion is surrounded by a rather 

 dense white fibrous connective- tissue capsule. From 

 one to three of the parasites are found in the necrotic 

 purulent material. The content of the lesion later 

 becomes caseous and may ultimately calcify. 



No symptoms have been observed in the liver that 

 could be attributed to the direct action of the Stephanurus. 



Remedial treatment is not available, but preventive 

 measures should be taken to avoid future disturbances. 



