148 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH 



duced into the stomach (see Foreign Bodies in Esophagus) 

 and the free end depressed to allow some of the stomach 

 contents to flow out. Should the contents be too thick to 

 pass out through the tube, some of the 2 per cent, soda 

 solution (about 500 c.c.) is introduced into the stomach by 

 elevating the free end of the tube. Attach a funnel to the 

 tube and gradually pour in the solution. After it has entered 

 the stomach by gravity, allow it to remain for a few minutes, 

 depress the tube and allow it to flow out again. This opera- 

 tion should be repeated until the liquid flows out freely and 

 is clear of food particles and mucus. It is advisable in severe 

 cases to repeat this treatment daily for three or four days and 

 after this at biweekly intervals. 



Bitter stomachics (tincture gentian compound 4.0; or 

 tincture of Colombo 2.0) are indicated before feeding to 

 stimulate the mucous membrane and the muscular walls of 

 the stomach. Small doses of pepsin and hydrochloric acid 

 are indicated in severe cases to assist in digesting the food. 

 These should be administered shortly after feeding to obtain 

 the best results. Artificial Carlsbad salts (8.0) given twice 

 daily is valuable as a stomachic and anticatarrhal agent for 

 the mucous membrane. Further, in cases where there is 

 considerable fermentation, salicylic acid (0.2-0.5) or creosote 

 (0.1) is useful to arrest the fermentation. These drugs should 

 be repeated at each meal to obtain the desired results. 



FOREIGN BODIES IN THE STOMACH. 



Etiology.— Dogs often swallow foreign bodies with the 

 food, or during play, which pass into the stomach and pro- 

 duce symptoms of a serious nature. Most commonly the 

 foreign bodies consist of small rubber balls, glass marbles, 

 peach stones, stones, needles, pins, and meat skewers. Dur- 

 ing rabies (see Rabies), owing to the vitiated appetite, dogs 

 eat large quantities of foreign material, such as splinters of 

 wood, pieces of cloth, stones, straw, etc. 



Cats often take with the food, needles, pins, fish bones, 

 fruit stones, which enter the stomach and remain for some 



