350 SWINE PRACnOJ! 



later show evidence of separation from the surrounding tissue, and ul- 

 timately the lesion may become desiccated and slough, leaving a 

 dark-colored surface upon which tissue fragments and pus may accu- 

 mulate. These cases may prove fatal, but more frequently the ani- 

 mals linger for some time, the surrounding tissue becoming tumefied 

 due to the proliferation of fibrous tissue. In such cases there is a 

 variable sized opening or unhealed surface. If the large fibrous mass 

 is removed and incised it will be found to contain necrotic centers 

 composed of fluid, semi-fluid, or caseous material. These centers are 

 surrounded by fibrous tissue, the entire mass being made up of layer 

 upon layer of fibrous lamelte. The end of the vas deferens will be 

 found involved in the mass, to which it usually adheres firmly, or to 

 the external surface of the wound, by dense fibrous tissue. This con- 

 dition in the beginning may be identified by the tumefaction and 

 particularly by the bad odor of the discharge. Later the large lesion 

 is observed with the characteristic putrid discharge from the open 

 wound. 



Treatment. — In the early stages the condition may be relieved by 

 the energetic application of disinfectants, and if necrosis is present 

 the excision or curettment of the necrotic centers. After the dense 

 mass of fibrous tissue has formed, only the careful removal of th? 

 entire mass by operation is successful; and in this the greatet care 

 must be exercised' or the animal will bleed to death. 



It is advisable to administer an anesthetic or perhaps preferably 

 administer chloral hydrate per rectum to these cases before operat- 

 ing. In the early stages this condition may be corre2ted by care- 

 fully removing the diseased tissues. Proper after-care should be 

 provided to prevent infection and recurrence of the condition. If the 

 tumefaction is extensive and contains areas of necrotic tissue the 

 entire mass should be carefully dissected away from the normal tis- 

 sues. Hemorrhages should be controlled in these operations or the 

 patient may die of shock or exhaustion. Such masses may be removed 

 by an emasculator and thus diminish hemorrhage. The wound should 

 be swabbed with iodin and packed with gauze. The packing should 

 be removed in eighteen to twenty-four hours. 



Actinomycosis 



Actinomycosis may affect the scrotum of castrated swine, but is 

 not common. 



