GASTEITIS. 825 



disease proceeds the congestion within the head increases, 

 eitlier in consequence of the accumulation of food within the 

 stomach, or by a translation of the disease to the brain, and 

 the coma produced causes the horse to press his head against 

 any fixed object, or to rest it in the manger, or hang it between 

 his fore legs ; occasionally the head is elevated and placed 

 between the rack staves. If the disease attacks a horse at grass, 

 he is either found resting his head against a tree, and stupidly 

 fixed to one spot, or moving with feeble steps in one direction, 

 which may be either backward, forward, or roundabout. The 

 breathing in the early stage is not materially disturbed; as, 

 however, the disease advances, it first becomes low and rather 

 protracted ; and when the symptomatic attack on the membranes 

 of the brain has produced phrenetic symptoms, it then becomes 

 more hurried. 



The pulse varies in difierent cases ; sometimes it is oppres- 

 sed, at other times quickened. Spasmodic twitchings of the 

 cutaneous muscles are not uncommon. AYhen the mucous 

 membraneous surfaces of the eyes, nose, and mouth, present a 

 yellow tinge, biliary suff'iision has taken place. Under these 

 symptoms, unless relief is promptly obtained, either the vital 

 energy becomes so totally suspended that the animal falls to rise 

 no more ; or the distention ruptures the stomach ; or it produces 

 such congestion that the patient sinks apoplectic ; or is other- 

 wise worn out by the violence of that phrensy which results 

 from the disease taking on the form of inflammation of the 

 membranes of the brain."* 



Symptoms of the Cheo^s'ic State. — The disease, as I have 

 previously stated, may commence either in an acute or sub-acute 

 form, and pass into the chronic ; and I may also add, that the 

 * Blaine's Veterinary Art, 1841, page 307. 



