DIGESTIV35 SYSTEM 99 



is due to foods that, readily ferment, Extreme distention produces 

 distress and expressions of pain. 



Diagnosis. — Diagnosis of gastric dilatation is dependent upon 

 history and the symptoms indicated above. Prognosis should be 

 guarded, as the possibility of rupture must always be considered. 



Treatment. — When the dilatation is not too great, the treatment 

 should be largely confined to removal of the gastric content by 

 emetics, and to lavage when the dilatation is extensive and likely 

 to result in rupture. 



Chronic Gastric Dilatation 



Chronic gastric dilatation is not comjnon in swine but has been 

 observed. Accumulation of indigestible substances is the usual 

 cause of the trouble. Occasional cases have been observed where 

 there was sufficient accumulation of hair in the stomach to perma- 

 nently dilate it beyond the normal capacity. 



Symptoms. — The usual evidences of chronic gastric dilatation con- 

 sist of irregular appetite, associated with unthriftiness. The stomach 

 is distended, and may contain various foreign bodies or indigestible 

 substances. The gastric mucosa is usually affected with chronic 

 catarrh. 



Treatment. — This condition is not very successfully treated be- 

 cause of the tendency to permanent dilatation of the stomach. Diet- 

 ing, especially with easily digestible, concentrated foods, is especially 

 advised. 



TUMORS 



Tumors of the stomach of swine are not very prevalent, or at 

 least such eases are rarely reported. 



Fibromas have been observed in only a few instances. They 

 usually involve the serous coat and rarely become of sufficient magni- 

 tude to ■ cause damage other than slight mechanical interference. 

 These tumors are invariably incapsulated, and appear as a dense, 

 fibrous mass. 



Lipomas occur in the serous coat of the stomach of swine though 

 they are not common. A few such tumors have been observed, and 

 in one instance the tumor had become so large that it seriously inter- 

 fered with the function of the organ by displacing the stomach 

 and producing such pressure that it practically occluded the 



