72 SWINE DISEASES 



obstructed portal circulation, which may be due to 

 disturbances of the liver, valvular defects of the heart, 

 chronic nephritis, or direct pressure upon the portal 

 vein. 



Lesions. Enlarged abdomen, due to the accumulated 

 fluid in the peritoneal cavity. The fluid is thin, limpid, 

 and is noncoagulable. The lesions of the primary cause 

 may also be observed. 



Symptoms. A pendulous abdomen associated with 

 digestive disturbances and malnutrition are the principal 

 evidences of this disease. 



Treatment. Treatment is of little value. Tem- 

 porary relief may be obtained by paracentesis abdominis. 



Peritonitis 



Inflammation of the peritoneum is not of as common 

 occurrence in swine as it is in horses, and the disease is 

 less fatal in swine than it is in most other animals. 



Etiology. Injuries, and infection following par- 

 turition, are the most common causes of porcine peri- 

 tonitis. Occasionally an ascarid may perforate the bowel 

 and establish inflammation. 



Lesions. Peritonitis may be serous, fibrinous, hemor- 

 rhagic, purulent, septic, or tubercular; local or general; 

 acute or chronic. The lesions will vary according to 

 the type of inflammation. There is first tumefaction, 

 congestion, loss of gloss of surface, and exudation. The 

 serous exudate is sticky, serum-like, and may be tinged 

 with blood; the fibrinous exudate coagulates and causes 

 adhesions ; the hemorrhagic exudate is of a bloody appear- 

 ance; and the purulent exudate is composed of pus. 

 Septic peritonitis is associated with the accumulation of 

 a putrid material upon the peritoneal surface. There 

 may also be evidence of injury, or metritis, and probably 

 some intestinal content in the peritoneal cavity. Chronic 

 peritonitis is associated with the proliferation of fibrous 

 tissue and usually greater or less adhesions of the visceral 

 and parietal peritoneum. 



