Indigestion of the Fourth Stomach in the Young. 137 



There is, however, always danger of the supervention of gastro- 

 enteritis of which in many instances the above-named symptoms 

 indicate the first stage. In all cases it interferes with the growth 

 and fattening of the subject. 



Lesions. We observe the presence in the stomach of masses 

 of coagulated milk, undigested, mixed with an excess of mucus, 

 and exhaling a sour or even a septic odor. The mucosa is more 

 or less red and congested with swelling and opacity of the epithe- 

 lium. The bowels also contain the undigested flocculi of casein, 

 more or less fermented and which have escaped the action of the 

 peptic liquids. 



Prevention. This consists in the avoidance of the causes, and 

 as these are in the main the accessory causes of infective gastro- 

 enteritis in the suckling, it will save repetition to refer to the 

 article on that subject. 



Treatment. In an attack which is caused and maintained by 

 undigested and irritant materials in the stomach, the first con- 

 sideration must be the elimination of these offensive matters. 

 An ounce of castor oil with a teaspoonful of laudanum for calf or 

 foal will usually effect this purpose. Or yi oz. calcined magnesia 

 or carbonate of magnesia, or of manna 2J4 drs. or cream of tartar 

 may be substituted for the oil. The addition of a carminative or 

 stimulant (1 dr. syrup of anise, or tincture of cinnamon, 1 oz. 

 whisky or brandy, or J^ oz. oil of turpentine for calf or foal) will 

 often check the diarrhoea and fermentation. 



In weak subjects the stimulant may be used with a drachm of 

 chalk or of bicarbonate of soda, and 5 grains powdered nux 

 vomica. 



In all cases alike the use of rennet is very advantageous. 

 One-eighth of a calf's rennet being steeped in a bottle of sherry 

 wine and the liquid given to the amount of a tablespoonful 

 (*4 oz.) with each drink. This secures proteid digestion and 

 checks fermentation thereby hindering the formation of the of- 

 fensive products which maintain the irritation and disorder. 



