DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 137 



may be accompanied by icterus. The animals become unthrifty and 

 finally weak and emaciated. 



Treatment. — Remove the cause and prevent further progress of 

 the disease. A strict diet and the maintaining of a laxative condi- 

 tion of the bowel may permit the affected animals to be gotten into 

 condition for slaughter. 



TUMORS 



Hepatic tumors are frequently observed by veterinary inspectors 

 in abattoirs, but these tumors are rarely of sufficient magnitude to 

 have produced visible symptoms in the animal prior to slaughter. 



The various kinds of tumors that have been observed in the liver 

 of swine are true to the type for the same tumors in other animals. 

 The malignant tumors of the liver frequently are found to be second- 

 ary. Of the types of liver tumors the following have been identified, 

 lipoma, myxoma, angioma, sarcoma, adenoma, epithelioma, and 

 carcinoma. 



No definite symptoms of hepatic tumors can be described; often 

 there is no outward evidence. There may be digestive disorders, 

 emaciation, and evidence of malnutrition. 



The treatment of hepatic tumors in swine is not practicable. 



PARASITES 



Parasitic invasion of the liver is very common in swine. The re- 

 sult of hepatic parasitism has not attracted the attention of the 

 clinician, but it has caused considerable concern with, the inspectors 

 of meat and food products. In the middle section of the United 

 States the livers of the majority of swine evidence parasitism or 

 lesions indicating previous,, parasitic invasion and activity. Para- 

 sitic conditions of the liver of swine are of considerable economic 

 importance because, of the condemnation, and therefore the loss, of 

 this organ as a food product. 



Coccidiosis 



Liver abscesses containing Coccidia have been observed. The 

 conditions are not very common; Johne observed in swine abscesses 

 as large as an apple that contained a Coccidium to which he at- 

 tributed the cause. 



