Diagnosis , Treatment. 215 



In the favorable eases the animals sometimes recover en- 

 tirely within a short time, even the ulcers in the mouth heal 

 with remarkable rapidity; as a rule it requires from 2 to 3 

 weeks for the animals to regain their former appetite and dis- 

 position. The recovery is usually complete ; permanent sequelae 

 develop only in exceptional cases (paralysis of a posterior ex- 

 tremity, deafness). 



Diagnosis. The sudden vomiting, the inappetence and 

 great depression, the ulcerations on the mucous membrane of 

 the buccal cavity, the striking injection of the sclerotic conjunc- 

 tiva, in connection with the infectious character of the disease, 

 usually afford sufficient grounds for a diagnosis. Distemper is 

 distinguished from this disease by the almost invariably present 

 catarrh of the conjunctivae and air passages, as well as by the 

 fact that in distemper usually young animals become affected. 

 In cases of gastro-enteritis resulting from dietetic errors or 

 poisonings (meat poisoning), the ulcerative condition in the 

 mouth is absent, besides the more uniform development of the 

 clinical manifestations, the appearance of the disease in numer- 

 ous localities, as well as the exclusive affection of dogs, are 

 indications against poisoning. Ulcerative stomatitis and scor- 

 butus develop more slowly, furthermore the violent vomiting 

 and great depression seen at the beginning of this disease 

 are absent. 



Treatment. For the violent vomiting washing of the stom- 

 ach appears to be indicated ; besides this Klett recommends sub- 

 cutaneous injections of morphine, swallowing of ice, and the 

 placing of ice bags over the region of the stomach. Mattel 

 advises the administration of mild Russian or bitter tea, Wohl- 

 muth prefers a tablespoonful of black coffee every hour, and 

 tincture of valerian, 15 drops 3 times daily, later warm or 

 Priesznitz bandages applied to the abdomen may diminish the 

 pains. In obstipation or diarrhea, enemas (4% boracic acid, 

 1% alum solution) may be used. Bass administers internally 

 ichthargan (ichthargan, gummi arab. aa 15.0, aqua 50.0, tea- 

 spoonful doses every 2 hours), and ichthargan ointment exter- 

 nally to the inner surface of the thighs. It is advisable to 

 wash the buccal cavity carefully several times daily with fresh 

 water or a mild disinfectant (potassium hypermang. in a 1% 

 solution). The animals should be kept in a quiet place, and if 

 they evince great weakness or lose considerable blood, sul)cu- 

 taneous infusions of luke warm salt solution (0.8%) are indi- 

 cated (Klett). 



After the vomiting subsides it is advisable to give the 

 animals water acidified with hydrochloric or citric acid, while 

 in the period of convalescence the animals should be given 

 highly nutritious food (gruels, milk, eggs, and later meat). 



