OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 115 



CHRONIC GASTRITIS. 



Horses are affected occasionally with chronic gastritis. It 

 does not occur often, but when it does, it does not yield to treat- 

 ment readily. It is associated with the following conditions : 



1. Continual errors in diet. 



2. Frequent recurring fits of acute indiges- 



tion. 



3. Textural changes in the glandular tis- 



sues of the stomach wall, such as 

 seen occasionally in heaves. The 

 secretions are deficient in both quan- 

 tity and quality. 



4. Cribbing and long-continued wind 



sucking. 



5. Diseases of the liver interfering with 



the secretion of the bile. 



6. Malignant disease of the stomach. 



7. Mechanical injury to the mucous mem- 



brane produced by bots. These hang 

 to the mucous membrane with little 

 booklets, and if there are very many, 

 they irritate the mucous lining. 

 Semeiology. — The symptoms are long continued and not very 

 expressive. A very capricious appetite will be present ; greatly 

 increased thirst; general unthrifty condition; pot belly, hide 

 bound, long staring coat, debility, etc. The termination may be 

 favorable if the cause can be removed, but it may develop into 

 the acu^e form at any time. 



Treatment. — Look' at the molar teeth and attend to them if 

 need be. Attend to the hygiene ; give antacids such as bicar- 

 bonate of soda, lime water, prepared chalk, subnitrate of bis- 

 muth, etc. Put them in the drinking water or feed. A horse 

 with this trouble will drink all that he can hold. Other drugs 

 are gentian, ginger, mux vomica, tonic doses of quinine, arsenic, 

 etc. Give him a run at grass if possible. See the Hygiene for 

 Chronic Gastric Indigestion. 



