OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 113 



induces the owner to call the doctor. For this lack of appetite 

 give a mild purgative and follow it with antacids. Let the horse 

 fast for two or three days. 



In older horses with this trouble always examine the teeth. 

 You will find that deranged teeth are often the cause of indiges- 

 tion. 



In case you have a young stallion to treat for indigestion, 

 always prescribe exercise, the lack of which is one of the causes 

 of his trouble. 



GASTRITIS. 



Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach mucous membrane. 

 This disease goes through the same course as any other inflam- 

 mation. It frequently runs to the third stage of inflammation 

 and may terminate in ulceration. It is not very common in 

 horses but is common in dogs and cats. 



Etiology. — In the horse gastritis usually follows a long con- 

 tinued course of gastric flatulence. It is sometimes caused by 

 traumatism, by foreign bodies — by anything that can wound the 

 mucous membrane. In this case infection often follows. The 

 gastric mucous membrane is frequently involved in a general in- 

 flammation along with a similar condition in the whole alimentary 

 track, as seen in influenza. Poisons, such as caustic potash, any 

 of the three vitriols (blue, white and green), arsenic (common 

 form eaten is Paris green), etc., are some of the causes of gas- 

 tritis. Others are mercury, lead, and vegetable poisons, such as 

 the yew, rhododendron, etc. 



Semeiology. — The symptoms consist of colicky pains, not un- 

 like those of colic. The animal turns his head around to one 

 side, has a depressed and haggard appearance; he sweats more 

 or less ; respirations quickened ; pulse rapid, hard and small, and 

 gets more so as the disease progresses. There is complete anor- 

 exia. In the very acute cases the thirst is not increased, but in 

 subacute cases the thirst is greatly increased. The saliva is 

 usually ropy. There may be frequent eructations ; flanks tucked 

 up; purgations; constipation. The animal dies in a stupor, and 

 the form of death is syncope. 



