61G CEIITAIN GASTRIC SYMPTOMS AND FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS. 



grouped under — (1) Errors in dieting; (2) Changes in the 

 gastric and other secretions ; (3) Abnormahties affecting the 

 movements of the stomach. Of all these it is probable that 

 the first, errors in dieting, may be regarded as paramount, 

 acting pimarily in directly disturbing function generally, and 

 secondarily in inducing specific changes in secretion. This 

 may be accomplished apart from another condition, which we 

 Avill shortly examine, and which may be regarded as a fruitful 

 source of dyspepsia, chronic gastritis. Sometimes it is difficult, 

 if not impossible, to lay our hand on the precise cause diet- 

 etically of this form of disordered gastric function, the cases 

 developing so slowly and insidiously. In many it seems 

 merely the direct result of the continuance of some particular 

 kind of food, which, either from its physical or chemical un- 

 fitness for the particular animal, at length induces perverted 

 or defective secretion of the gastric fluids. It is a custom with 

 many, in attendance upon horses kept for fast work, to restrict 

 the amount of hay and increase the quantity of grains ; of 

 these the leguminous kinds, when given in excess, are very 

 liable to induce dyspepsia with acidity of the stomach. 



From experience and observation we are taught that the 

 undue allowance of stimulating food, and its non-admixture 

 with material of a cooling character, inducing undue tension 

 and strain upon the stomach by the excessive and persistent 

 stimulation of the vascular and secreting structures, is apt to 

 be followed by disturbance of function — gastric indigestion. 



Even when the food supplied is unexceptionable in quality, its 

 dry and stimulating character is sufficient to induce the dis- 

 order of function indicated. When, however, the food is of an 

 inferior quality, either from its inherent innutritions character, 

 or rendered so by some change, chemical or mechanical, which 

 lias overtaken material originally good, disturbed gastric func- 

 tion is even more likely to ensue. We observe such results to 

 follow from feeding on hay or grains which have been badly 

 harvested or otherwise manipulated ; and with foreign oats 

 which have undergone bleaching to give them an appearance 

 which they would not otherwise possess. The injudicious em- 

 ployment of certain condensed or concentrated foods and con- 

 diments is also attended with similar results. 



In defective movements and want of expulsive power of the 



