DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 69 



&CVTE GASTRITIS. 



It should be understood that the term acute gastritis is used to denote 

 an inflammation of the stomach, of such intensity as to greatly endanger 

 life; a disease fortunately of very rare occurrence. It is very doubtful if 

 this affection ever originates from the internal and unappreciable causes 

 which give rise to the so-called spontaneous inflammations in other situa- 

 tions. The cause of the disease may not in every instance be obvious; it 

 can however, with almost certainty be considered traumatically produced 

 by the action of caustic or irritant poisons. 



Symptoms.— Pain and vomiting are prominent symptoms in acute 

 gastritis, the stomach being often intolerant of water or the blandest 

 liquids. The matter vomited is a watery mucus of a greenish color, not 

 unfrequently mixed with blood dark and clotted in appearance. The acts 

 of vomiting are evidently painful. The desire for cold drinks is excessive, 

 notwithstanding the distressing acts of vomiting it provokes. Pressure 

 over the stomach reveals tenderness. 



The position assumed by the animal is characteristic ; it stretches itself 

 out on its belly; the pulse is up and fever is more or less intense; the 

 expression is anxious and haggard ; the bowels might be constipated but 

 are more commonly relaxed and diarrhoea is present. The nose is dry, 

 and if the inflammation is severe the respiration is hurried. 



If death does not speedily occur and the disease runs on to a fatal ter- 

 mination, dark clotted blood will be vomited. Everything taken into the 

 stomach will be expelled almost without effort. Prostration becomes 

 evident; the pulse grows rapid and thready; the limbs become cold, and 

 the skin clammy. Convulsions sometimes occur and finally the poor vic- 

 tim dies from exhaustion. The end is usually very rapid in fatal cases. 



Diagnosis . —There is little danger of acute gastritis being mistaken for 

 any other affection. With a view to appropriate treatment, it is important 

 to determine from the symptoms whether or not the attack is positively 

 attributable to poison. If the animal is taken suddenly ill and his previous 

 movements and whereabouts can be learned, it will be of some assistance. 

 The mouth and throat should show some trace of the poison if of a corro- 

 sive character, of which an early vomiting of blood in quantities is 

 markedly indicative. 



Prognosis . — Acute gastritis is undoubtedly a disease of great gravity. 

 It may prove fatal within a few hours, the animal dying from shock, or the 

 end may come slowly, the result of exhaustion. The amount of local injury 

 will in a great degree measure the danger. 



Irealmeni. —It is to be inferred that in cases of poisoning, the proper 

 antidotes have been administered , and the contents of the stomach 



