120 SWINE DISEASES 



Infection 



The castration wounds are subject to a variety of 

 infection because of their location and the nature and 

 habit of swine. Various pyogenic bacteria gain entrance 

 into the castration wound, and should the incisions be 

 small and the wound margins closed by the inflamma- 

 tory swelling an abscess may develop, the size of which 

 will depend upon the tissue resistance. Scrotal abscesses 

 in castration wounds are not serious if properly opened, 

 drained, and cared for, but if the pus is allowed to accumu- 

 late it may infiltrate the surrounding tissues or, more 

 probably, pass along the vas deferens, and ultimately 

 enter the pelvic cavity and establish peritonitis. 



The colon bacillus may also infect castration wounds 

 and produce either suppurative or septic inflammation. 

 In a few instances several pigs have been observed 

 affected with septic disturbances resulting from colon 

 infection in castration wounds. The lesions observed in 

 septic infection consist of gaseous tumefactions containing 

 inflammatory products. These cases usually terminate 

 fatally, unless treatment is begun early. The treatment 

 consists of opening the castration wounds, removing 

 the necrotic tissue with a curette, and freely applying 

 efficient germicidal agents. 



The Bacillus necrophorous occasionally gains entrance 

 to the castration wounds, but the successful infection by 

 these germs is usually in the later stages of the healing 

 process. The Bacillus necrophorous is anaerobic and 

 probably is continuously eliminated in the feces. The 

 lesions produced by this organism consist of a slow-going 

 necrosis, the necrotic foci being surrounded by an inflam- 

 matory zone. A peculiar, offensive odor emanates from 

 the lesions. The necrotic areas may later show evidence 

 of separation from the surrounding tissue, and ultimately 

 the lesion may become desiccated and slough, leaving a 

 dark-colored surface upon which tissue fragments and 

 pus may accumulate. These cases may prove fatal, 

 but more frequently the animals linger for some time, 

 the surrounding tissue becoming tumefied due to the 



