DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 115 



Treatment. — The further feeding of the polluted garbage should 

 be prohibited. Emetics, enemas, and purgatives^ to efEeetually re- 

 move the offending material are indicated in the beginning. If the 

 specific poison is known, the antidote should be given. In the later 

 stages, treatment of the various symptoms as they arise is good 

 practice. 



Cryptoga)ns (Molds, Yeast, Bacteria) 



No doubt some forms of garbage poisoning are due to molds, yeast, 

 or bacteria that are capable of producing injurious substances in the 

 alimentary canal or have by their growth and activity produced 

 injurious substances in or upon the foods prior to the time of their 

 ingestion. Gastro-enteritis resulting from the action or products of 

 the above-mentioned vegetable microorganisms is designated cryp- 

 togamic poisoning or mycotic gastro-enteritis. 



This condition is not so common in swine as in some other domestic 

 animals, notably the horse. Glover, of the Colorado Agricultural 

 Experiment Station, has reported outbreaks of such a disease which 

 were probably due to bacterially decomposed potatoes. Some un- 

 authentic cases have been reported of this condition arising from 

 the consumption of moldy alfalfa. Cases have been observed, but 

 not frequently, of swine that had been fed upon moldy corn dying 

 of mycotic gastro-enteritis and cerebritis. 



Lesions. — There is considerable variation in the postmortem find- 

 ings in swine that have died of mycotic gastro-enteritis. This is 

 not extraordinary, for there is a variety of molds that cause this 

 condition. One usually finds extensive inflammation of the gastro- 

 intestinal mucosa, and in cases that have lingered for some time, 

 ulcerations are very common. There is frequently meningeal en- 

 gorgement, and in rare cases there may be cerebral softening. 



Symptoms. — Two different types of conditions are included in this 

 grouping from the viewpoint of symptomatology. The symptoms in 

 one group consist of inappetence, increased thirst, rise of tempera- 

 ture and weakness. In the other group there will be normal or 

 subnormal temperature, disturbances of locomotion, impairment of 

 vision, anorexia, dysphagia and salivation. 



Treatment. — The cause should be identified and removed. Elim- 

 ination by purgatives is indicated and in severe cases should be 

 assisted by enemas. Stimulants should be used in cases showing 

 pharyngeal paralysis and depression. Intravenous or intramuscular 



