326 GASTEITIS. 



chronic form may exist for a long time, and ultimately become 

 acute, and the patient die. 



A horse affected with Chronic G-astritis, so long as he remains 

 at rest, does not present any symptom by which the disease can 

 be recognised ; he usually feeds and rests well ; he may appear 

 thin in condition, and the hair dry and harsh ; but not unfre- 

 quently the animal affected feeds and rests well, and the hair 

 lies close to the skin and is glossy ; but if the animal be taken 

 to work, especially with a full stomach, and be driven quicker 

 than ordinarily, symptoms of the malady, in all probability, will 

 speedily become evident. The animal will throw his head wildly 

 about ; the ears will be drawn close to the poll ; he will shake 

 the head as though stung inside the ear by a bee, or tormented 

 by a fly ; the eyelids will quiver ; he will press heavily upon the 

 bit, and the head will be drawn either to the right or to the left 

 side ; and the horse, unless timely brought to a stand, will rush 

 impetuously forward, until he either falls to the ground or is 

 stopped by some large object, such as a wall or the side of a 

 house, against which he will lean for some time ; after this he 

 will gradually recover, and afterwards travel forward as though 

 nothing had happened. 



The morbid state of the digestive organs causing the above 

 symptoms may remain for an indefinite period, especially if the 

 animal affected be treated with care ; but if food be allowed 

 of an improper kind, or in improper quantities, and the patient 

 worked without consideration, the acute form of the malady 

 may speedily supervene and bad consequences result. 



Causes. — The immediate cause arises from an inflamed 

 condition of the mucous membrane of the stomach ; and this, 

 in the generality of cases, arises from the presence of improper 

 food within the organ. 



