CHAPTER VII 



GASTRIC TYMPANY : GASTRECTASIS, OR 

 DILATATION OF THE STOMACH 



Definition. — That condition of the stomach in which 

 it is abnormally distended with gas, the result of fer- 

 mentation of its contents or the introduction of air from 

 without. 



This disease, by no means a rare one, appears to have 

 been but little noticed by veterinarians, if we may judge 

 by the paucity of literature relating to it. A redeeming 

 feature presents itself in that the reported cases, though 

 few in number, are extremely well stated, and leave no 

 doubt in the mind of the reader that the authors are 

 well acquainted with the condition they describe, cog- 

 nizant of the real nature of the complaint, and convinced 

 of the dangers attending it. 



Of all the gastric and intestinal disorders we are able 

 to diagnose this is one of the most rapid, and, at times, 

 one of the most fatal the veterinary surgeon is likely to 

 meet with. The patient is in those extreme agonies of 

 pain that quickly run on to death, and nothing but a 

 prompt recognition of his complaint and the administra- 

 tion of suitable remedies will bring about a favour- 

 able issue. A few hours' indecision will place his 

 chances of life, already small, beyond all hope. This 

 latter statement is rendered the more important by the 



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