GASTRIC IMPACTION 47 



Allowed to stand, he remains quiet, with head down 

 and eyes half closed, a sudden rousing causing him almost 

 to fall to the ground. 



Diagnosis. — Knowing that symptoms like the above 

 may be the result of some lesion in the brain itself, the 

 veterinarian is urged to make a careful inquiry into the 

 history of his case. That done, the diagnosis becomes a 

 comparatively simple matter. Receiving an account of 

 an abundant feeding after a long fast, learning that the 

 animal has been in a position to glut himself with food of 

 which he is especially fond, or hearing that he is always 

 a voracious and greedy feeder, will lead the veterinary 

 surgeon to be on the alert. Either of these circum- 

 stances, together with the symptoms presented, will 

 render any chance of error small. Proceeding further, 

 and by negative reasoning placing aside this and that 

 article of diet as containing no narcotic principle, the 

 surgeon advances with his diagnosis, and finally arrives 

 at a correct decision. 



Prognosis. — My experience leads me to the con- 

 viction that this, in most cases, may be favourable. 

 The absence of tympany and the continuance of peri- 

 stalsis, though it be but slight, justifies that statement. 



Treatment. — This must be mainly directed to the 

 conservation and assistance of such favourable condi- 

 tions as are present. It should be borne in mind that the 

 occurrence of tympany would quickly lead to a rapid and 

 fatal termination. 



An agent which will be found to prevent that, act as 

 an antiseptic, and exert an excito-secretory action on the 

 intestinal tract, is to be found in sodium chloride. Should 

 that be the drug selected, it may be given either in the 

 form of a ball or a draught. Those who prefer it may 

 use instead hydrochloric acid in small and frequently 



