142 DISEASES OF SWINE 



nomical measures. At present, we must depend on 

 prevention and sanitary measures in combating 

 this disease. 



INFECTIOUS SORE MOUTH IN PIGS— NECROTIC 

 STOMATITIS 



Infectious sore mouth is a common disease of 

 pigs. It usually occurs in young pigs from a few 

 days to a few weeks old and is highly contagious. 

 Heavy losses are frequently reported from this 

 disease. 



Causes. — The specific cause of this disease is 

 the necrosis bacillus. This germ is widely . dis- 

 tributed and is said to be a normal inhabitant of 

 the hog's intestines. It is commonly found in the 

 manure around the hog houses and in filth, and is 

 frequently associated with other ulcerative and ne- 

 crotic processes than that of the mouth. 



Filthy quarters is the one condition that favors 

 the development of the disease. Damp, wet, 

 muddy yards are favorable conditions for the 

 spreading of the infection, but infection may occur 

 quite readily in dusty yards. Under such con- 

 ditions the teats of the mother become soiled with 

 filth containing the germs of the disease. A com- 

 mon method of spreading the disease is by af- 

 fected pigs nursing and infecting the teats of 

 mothers having healthy litters. 



The germ does not develop on a healthy mucous 

 membrane. Opportunity for developing in the 

 mouth of the pig is afforded by some slight 



