INFECTIOUS DISEASES 211 



Diagnosis. The identification of necrotic stomatitis 

 is not difficult if the typical necrotic lesions are observed 

 and the peculiar offensive odor is recognized. 



Treatment. In the early stages the treatment of 

 the cases may be successful, but in the advanced stages 

 the disease usually proves fatal regardless of treatment. 

 The most successful treatment consists in washing the 

 oral cavity and applying upon the eroded areas one- 

 percent solutions of silver nitrate or three- to five-percent 

 solutions of zinc chlorid. Local treatment should be 

 repeated frequently. 



Necrotic Enteritis 



This is frequently a sequel to necrotic stomatitis, the 

 infection passing along the digestive tube in the patches 

 of sloughed necrotic tissue or directly from the intestinal 

 content. Necrotic enteritis is relatively common in 

 swine. It frequently accompanies hog cholera. 



Lesions. The lesions of necrotic enteritis are most 

 common in the mucous membrane of the intestine near 

 the ileocecal orifice. The lesion is very similar to that 

 of necrotic stomatitis, except that here the necrotic tissue 

 usually remains intact and becomes coagulated and 

 mealy or caseous. This adhering pseudomembrane may 

 occur in small, scattered, circumscribed areas, or prac- 

 tically the entire mucous membrane may be involved. 

 Microscopically the surface epithelia in the affected areas 

 are found disintegrated and commingled with the coagu- 

 lated debris upon the mucous surface. 



Symptoms. This condition frequently exists to a 

 limited degree without manifestation of any symptoms. 

 In the cases where the lesions are more extensive there is 

 indigestion, colicky pains, and diarrhea. Later the appe- 

 tite may be diminished or the desire for food may cease; 

 the animals become unthrifty, emaciated, and weak. 

 The course varies with the intensity of the disease; it 

 may run a rapid course or it may become chronic. It is 

 rarely fatal. 



