324 GASTEITIS. 



season. Eegarding the disease, however, in its broadest charac- 

 ter, that is without reference to it strictly as an epizootic, I may 

 describe it as consisting of an inflammation of the villus mem- 

 brane of the stomach, presenting three phases of developement, 

 viz — as Acute, Sub-acute, and Chronic Gastritis. The acute 

 form may pass into the sub-acute ; or the disease may commence 

 as the sub -acute and become acute ; or either of them may 

 become chronic. 



Symptoms or Acute Gastritis. — This form of the disease 

 is generally present during the hot months of the year. The 

 attack is sudden, and often appears in animals at grass, as well 

 as amongst those which are at work and fed upon green food in 

 the stable. 



The earliest symptoms are unsteadiness of the gait; the 

 animal reels and staggers as though drunk ; the countenance is 

 dull and stupid looking, and the horse appears to those in attend- 

 ance as though only half conscious. As the disease proceeds 

 this unconsciousness becomes more marked, the patient falls to 

 the ground, and there remains, to all appearance, completely 

 powerless ; the eyes either present a staring, fixed look, or the 

 eyelids are closed ; the pulse is generally slow and heaving ; and 

 the breathing slow and deep. Sometimes, however, the pulse 

 is quick and irritable, and the breathing hurried ; the bowels 

 are constipated, and the urine scanty. In this state the patient 

 may remain for several days, and then, (if properly treated) 

 recover ; or the unconsciousness and inability to rise may not 

 continue more than a few hours. 



Symptoms of the Sub- acute State. — " The symptoms,'* 

 (to adopt the description given by Blaine,) " frequently first 

 observed, are of a lethargic character ; the horse dozes ; takes 

 little notice of anything around him ; and he will be found often 

 eating slowly, or alternately masticating and dozing. As the 



