ENTERITIS 173 



It is often advisable in dogs to wash out the intestinal 

 tract with bicarbonate of soda solution (1 to 2 per cent.) 

 followed by alum, tannic acid or iron sulphate solutions 

 (1 to 2 per cent.). This can be done quite readily in the 

 dog by the use of a flexible rubber tube inserted as far up 

 into the bowels as possible. The free end is elevated and a 

 funnel attached. The solution is poured into the funnel 

 and allowed to gravitate slowly into the bowels. When 

 there is no obstruction the fluid will flow into the stomach 

 and be ejected through the mouth. In birds it is best intro- 

 duced with a small syringe, being careful to avoid using too 

 much force. In very severe cases, where general weakness 

 is apparent, stimulants are advisable. Subcutaneous injec- 

 tions of caffein citrate (0.1-0.5) may be used as a heart 

 stimulant. Normal salt solution, at the body tempera- 

 ture (100 F.), is of great value in severe weakness from 

 hemorrhage or narcosis. It may be introduced intravenously, 

 subcutaneously, intraperitoneally or per rectum. 



Chronic Enteritis. Definition. This is a chronic inflam- 

 mation of the small intestines involving the upper part of the 

 large intestines, but often extending to all parts of the intes- 

 tinal mucosa. Frequently there is extensive ulceration at 

 different places along the intestinal tract. In some cases the 

 stomach mucosa is involved from the same causes that pro- 

 duce the chronic enteritis. 



Etiology. Chronic enteritis most commonly develops 

 from repeated acute attacks or from the same causes acting 

 mildly producing gradually a chronic inflammatory condi- 

 tion. (See Acute f^nteritis.) 



Chronic enteritis also occurs secondary to other diseases, 

 such as chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, and liver which 

 cause interference with the circulation in the walls of the 

 intestines. Chronic infectious diseases, such as chronic 

 distemper, chronic constitutional diseases, rachitis, etc., 

 have at times chronic enteritis associated with them. Para- 

 sites in the intestinal tract are common causes. 



Pathology. The intestines always present evidences of 

 long-continued inflammation of the mucosa, the surface 

 being covered with excessive secretions of mucus or muco- 



