296 Acute Dilatation of the Stomach of the Horse. 



to tlie neutral salts (gentiana, calamus, rlieum). Harms recom- 

 mended in chronic gastric catarrh of cattle the continuous ad- 

 ministration of Carlsbad salt in increasing doses daily from 

 50-150 grammes ; the dose dissolved in a bucketful of water and 

 given one hour before the early morning feeding. 



If in ruminants tlie symptoms also point to serious disturb- 

 ance in the function of the fore-stomachs, the treatment used in 

 atony of these stomachs appears indicated (see page 273). 



In carnivora it is advisable to add to the regulation of the 

 diet the administration of hydrochloric acid (5-10 drops in 250 

 cc. shortly after the ingestion of food) ; also bitters (especially 

 the bitter tinctures in teaspoonful doses, decoction of cortex 

 quiniae, of Colombo- or of condurango-root) ; also neutral salts, 

 preferably Carlsbad salt (one teaspoonful daily in warm water 

 upon an empty stomach). If there is much fermentation, sali- 

 cylic acid (0.2-0.5 gm. before feeding), resorcin (0.1-0.2 gm.), 

 creosote (0.1 gin.), naphthalin (0.1-0.3 gm.) in several repeated 

 doses may be of advantage. 



Literature. EUenberger & Hofmeister, A. f. Tk., 1888, XIV, 55,— Petit, Ger- 

 main & Breton, Bull., 1907, 428.— Wedernikow, Vet. Jhb., 1894, 84. 



5. Acute Dilatation of the Stomach. Dilatatio ventriculi acuta. 



(a) Acute Dilatation of the Stomach of the Horse. 



{Mageniiheriadung , Magenilherfulhmg, Ueherfutterungs-Kolik 



[German] ; Colica crapulosa; Indigestion stomacale 



[French].) 



Acute dilatation of the stomach of the horse is either caused 

 by the ingestion of unusually large masses of food, or by an 

 impediment to the emptying of the stomach. The heretofore 

 normal stomach becomes dilated, but if the cause is removed it 

 again assumes its normal volume. 



Occurrence. This disease, known as overloading of the 

 stomach, overfilling of the stomach or overfeeding colic, occurs 

 particularly in horses which receive improper food or are fed 

 at irregular intervals, or which are exposed to excessive exer- 

 tion. This explains why the disease occurs so frequently in 

 large cities, where the attendance, the feeding, the working of 

 the horses is improper in many respects. The disease is rare 

 in horses kept as breeding animals, in those kept for pleasure, or 

 in farm animals. The affection also occurs among army 

 horses, especially during camping and maneuvers, on account 

 of the prevailing irregularity in feeding. 



In the clinic at Budapest acute dilatation of the stomach is seen annually in 

 11-21% of the horses sick with colic; this is a percentage probably not markedly 

 different from that in other large cities. The frequency of the disease varies with 

 the season, since it is twice as prevalent during the second and third quarter as 

 during the other quarters of the year. Most cases are seen in July and August. 



