GASTRITIS 147 



able odor. After severe and prolonged paroxysms of vomit- 

 ing, the mucus is frequently mixed .with blood from the rup- 

 turing of small bloodvessels at the seat of the erosions. The 

 chemical analysis of the vomited material shows the presence 

 of abnormal acids, such as butyric or sometimes acetic in 

 addition to lactic acid, while the hydrochloric acid is either 

 absent or greatly reduced in quantity. Digestion, therefore, 

 is delayed and decomposition and gas formation favored 

 which in some cases greatly distends the stomach. Con- 

 stipation is usually present, but in some cases there is diar- 

 rhea and the undigested food passes rapidly through the 

 bowels. The urine is often reduced in quantity, has a high 

 color and a very disagreeable odor. There are general 

 symptoms of disturbed nutrition, resulting in emaciation and 

 general weakness. 



Diagnosis. A diagnosis of chronic gastritis is not always 

 easy as the symptoms present are also indicative of other 

 conditions. However, by a careful analysis of the symptoms 

 and considering the condition of the animal and a careful 

 examination of the contents of the stomach, the diagnosis 

 may be made with a certain degree of accuracy. 



Prognosis. A complete recovery in this condition is prac- 

 tically impossible. However, a great number of cases will 

 improve with careful diet and treatment. As a rule an 

 unfavorable prognosis should be made owing to the patho- 

 logical changes which have taken place in the mucosa and 

 muscular walls of the stomach. 



Treatment. Dietetic. The dietetic treatment is of greater 

 importance in the majority of cases than the use of medicines. 

 A careful regulation of the diet is always to be insisted upon. 

 Only small quantities of easily digested food should be given 

 for the first few days (beef extract, rice soup, white of eggs, 

 small quantities of milk, oatmeal gruel). In cats very small 

 amounts of milk or rice soup show the best results. 



Medical. A thorough lavage of the stomach witli warm 

 water or a sodium bicarbonate solution (2 per cent.) should 

 always be the first tiling attempted. It can be done readily 

 in the following manner: The animal is placed on a table 

 and held by an assistant; a stomach tube is then iiitro- 



