DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 89 



upon the mucous membrane of a yellowish or brownish coagulated 

 exudate. 



Phlegmonous esophagitis is usually observed as a sequel of per- 

 foration, or the escape of pus into the submucosa from abscesses. 

 This condition is sometimes associated with phlegmonous pharyngitis. 

 The accumulated pus or other inflammatory exudate is frequently 

 so extensive that the lumen of the esophagus is entirely closed. 



The symptoms of inflammation of the esophagus are obscure. Dif- 

 ficult deglutition, nausea, vomition are the symptoms usually evi- 

 denced in swine affected with esophagitis. 



Treatment of inflammation of the esophagus is not entirely satis- 

 factory, because the affected animals will usually not attempt to 

 swallow. If the condition is diagnosed in the early stages while 

 the animal will drink slops, mucilaginous slops will be of value. 



TUMORS 



Tumors of the esophagus are relatively rare. Polypoid fibromas 

 have been observed, and more rarely myxomas and myomas. 

 Malignant tumors of the, esophagus are quite rare, and' when they 

 do occur they are secondary. 



Aoerration of Appetite 



(Pig-Eating Sows). 



Pig-eating by sows is an aberration of the appetite or perversion 

 of taste and is not attributed to any definite pathologic entity or 

 Condition. This condition may be a vice, an instinctive act, or a 

 mania. 



In some instances the cause of this depravity of appetite is im- 

 proper feed' during the latter portion of the period of gestation. 

 It is always advisable to gradually change the feed of sows about 

 two or three weeks before farrowing time, diminishing the fat-form- 

 ing elements. Some feeders claim that adding small quantities of 

 tankage to the feed for a period of ten days before farrowing will 

 prevent this vice. The consensus of opinion is that a sow that has 

 once formed the habit of eating her recently farrowed pigs cannot be 

 broken of the habit, regardless of any variations of feeds and methods 

 of feeding. 



