DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. 215 



of the toxic agent, and to administer the requisite anti- 

 dote.* 



Under any circumstances the food should be very re- 

 stricted in amount, consisting of linseed gruel, or other 

 non-irritating food, in small quantity. Opiates may also be 

 given, especially if there be much pain. 



2. CHRONIC GASTRITIS.— Etiology.— Chronic gastritis 

 may be met with as the sequel of acute inflammation, but 

 it usually follows dietetic errors. 



In some instances it is traceable to irritation, caused by 

 the presence of the larvce of the oestrus equi, and may 

 result from disease of the liver, or be dependent upon 

 malignant disease of the walls of the stomach. 



Crib-biting is also not unfrequently a cause of dyspepsia, 

 and chronic gastritis. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms, for the most part, are those 

 of chronic dyspepsia, which, though often spoken of as a 

 functional disorder of the stomach, is frequently due to 

 chronic inflammation of that viscus. 



Some cases of frequently recurring colic and intestinal 

 disorder are, no doubt, to be attributed to chronic gastritis. 



Treatment. — Ascertain the cause, if possible, and restrict 

 the diet. 



The internal treatment will vary with the cause, but 

 will in the main be similar to that recommended in chronic 

 dyspepsia. 



RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH. 



Etiology.— Partial or complete rupture of the walls of 



the stomach is not uncommon among horses. It is mainly 



due to errors in dieting and work, and is more frequently 



met with among the heavier draught horses, which are 



* Vide Chapter on Poisons. 



