Chronic Gastritis in Rmninants. 171 



Dilatation of the stomach is not uncommon especially in old 

 horses, and then the mucosa ma}' be attenuated and smooth. 



Hyperthermia may be present, but is so slight that inflamma- 

 tit)n cannot be predicated from it and it is difficult to establish a 

 diagnosis from chronic d3'spepsia. 



Treatment. It is important to first correct any curable predis- 

 posing disorder, in teeth, jaws, salivary glands, blood, or internal 

 organs, to carefully regulate feeding, watering and work, to se- 

 cure as far as possible an outdoor life, and to employ bitter and 

 other tonics. All overexertion or fatigue nuist be carefully 

 avoided. The food may be as advised for the more acute affec- 

 tion. Costiveness may be best met b\' boiled flaxseed, or in ca.se 

 of necessity by bran mashes, or green food. The irritation of the 

 stomach may be benefited b\' nitrate of bismuth (3 to4drs.), and 

 pepsin, and dilute muriatic acid with each meal are often of value. 

 Nux Vomica (10 to 25 grs. twice daily) will helj) to restore the 

 lost tone, and a current of electricity may be sent through the 

 epigastrium daily. As alternatives, sulphate of quinia or gentian 

 may replace the nux, and salol or salicylate of bismuth may take 

 the place of the nitrate. Bicarbonate of soda in V2 dr. doses, 

 common salt in V2 oz. doses, and fennel in ]A oz. do.ses are some- 

 times useful in re-establishing gastric functions. 



CHRONIC GASTRlTivS IN RUMINANTS. 



Causes : As in acute form, parasites, gravid womb, iusufficieut ration, 

 overwork, exhaustive milking, chronic diseases. Symptoms : deranged 

 appetite, rumination, pica, eructations, regurgitations, tympanies, colics 

 after feeding, coated dung, diarrhoea, fever, hot clammy mouth, sunken 

 eyes, small weak pulse, palpitations, emaciation, weakness, tender hypo- 

 chondrium. Lesions : hypertrophy of gastric mucosa, granular epithelium. 

 Treatment : tonic regimen, diet, green food, roots, sunshine, bismuth, salol, 

 strychnia, pepsin, muriatic acid, common salt, counterirritants. 



Causes. These are in the main the causes of the acute affec- 

 tion. There may, however, be special persistent factors like 

 parasites (strongylus contortus and filicollis, spiro])tera) in the 

 .stomach, the pre.ssure of a gravid womb, an alimentation deficient 



