290 Acute Catarrh of the Stomach. 



tioii of wet straw or niannre, occasionally also vomiting. The 

 abdomen appears somewhat bloated and is tender to pressure. 

 Defecation is retarded, the feces are dry and dark in color, 

 and diarrhea occurs sometimes in the further course. There is 

 sometimes also an icteric discoloration of the conjunctivae 

 (Braun). 



Course and Prognosis. Primary acute catarrh of the stom- 

 ach usually runs its course in a few days, at the utmost in 1 to 2 

 weeks, and ends in complete recovery. However it is not advis- 

 able to make an absolutely favorable prognosis from the start, 

 because catarrh may lead to gastritis and it may frequently be 

 followed by catarrh of the intestines, which is of considerable 

 importance in young and also in very old animals. Moreover 

 catarrh may become chronic and consequently more obstinate. 



The importance of secondary acute catarrh depends chiefly 

 upon the nature of the underlying primary affection and it in- 

 fluences the latter unfavorably. 



Diagnosis. Primary acute gastric catarrh can easily be 

 recognized since the history of the case frequently furnishes 

 sufficient data. It is however somewhat difficult to decide 

 whether catarrh is confined exclusively to the stomach or 

 whether it has already extended to the intestines. The signs 

 which are of significance in the differential diagnosis will be 

 fully considered under intestinal catarrh, but it ought to be 

 pointed out here that gastric catarrh as a rule is accompanied 

 by catarrh of the duodenum, which manifests itself in an icteric 

 discoloration of the mucous membranes. Abdominal pain which 

 can occasionally be observed points to a simultaneous catarrh of 

 the intestines.' Gastric catarrh is frequently accompanied by 

 a similar affection of the intestines and in this case the disease 

 develops into a gastro-intestinal catarrh, and it is then difficult 

 to analyze the observable s^^nptoms for differentiation. Intes- 

 tinal sounds, the condition of the feces, and the presence or 

 absence of icterus may however furnish enlightenment. 



In ruminants it is often difficult to distinguish gastric 

 catarrh from affections of the fore-stomachs, because the latter 

 make it impossible to recognize whether the abomasum is intact 

 or not, and affections of the fore-stomachs may be followed by 

 disease of the abomasum. If there is localized tenderness upon 

 pressure in the region of the former and an icteric dis- 

 coloration of the conjunctivfe, if the left flank is fallen in or at 

 least the rumen not full, and if further the movements of the 

 rumen are not markedly diminished, catarrh of the abomasum 

 may be assumed to exist. Sometimes a history of errors in 

 diet will furnish valuable data. 



The gastritis is distinguished from simple catarrh by the 

 greater intensity of the affection and its symptoms, by the great 

 prostration, by the frequent and weak pulse; traumatic gastri- 

 tis of cattle can be recognized by a distinct tenderness upon 

 pressure in the neighborhood of the omasum. 



