88 SWINE PRACTICE 



esophageal walls, but also of tissue changes induced by the escape 

 of food from the esophagus into the surrounding tissues. In some 

 instances the primary lesions consist of an inflammatory edema, 

 while in other instances the primary lesions are tuberculous, 

 actinomycotic, or necrobacillary. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms resulting from esophageal perforation 

 vary according to the secondary lesions evolved and the location of 

 the perforation. Sharp objects may perforate and pass through the 

 esophagus without permitting food stuff to pass through' the per- 

 foration in the peri-esophageal tissue. In other instances food stuff 

 may pass through the perforation into the surrounding tissue. Per- 

 forations in the thorax are much more serious than those occurring 

 in- the cervical region. The escape of food material from the esopha- 

 gus into the surrounding tissue practically always produces a 

 phlegmonous inflammation. If gas-forming bacteria are present then 

 an emphysematous condition will be produced. Deglution will be 

 difficult and in the majority of cases there will be aphagia. Per- 

 foration in the thoracic portion of the esophagus may be associated 

 with vertigo, nausea, trembling and colicky pains. 



Treatment. — The treatment of esophageal perforation depends up- 

 on removing the cause and healing the injuries, combined with 

 proper diet. 



ESOPHAGITIS 



Esophagitis in hogs is not very common. It may be the result 

 of injury from, foreign bodies, exposvire, infection or the ingestion 

 of hot food or drink. 



Catarrhal esophagitis is perhaps the most frequent type of in- 

 flammation and may be local or general. The usual lesions evi- 

 denced in the acute type consist of congestion, infiltration, and 

 tumefaction of the mucous membrane, associated with desquamation 

 of the epithelium. Ulceration may occur. The chronic type is 

 characterized by an excessive development of fibrous tissue in the 

 submueosa, causing the mucous membrane to be thrown into folds. 

 Chronic esophagitis is occasionally observed in hogs that are fed 

 exclusively on distillery slops. 



Croupous esophagitis is usually the result of an invasion of strep- 

 tococci, although this condition may be associated with hog cholera 

 or pneumonia. The disease is characterized by the accumulation 



