ULCERATION OF THE STOMACH 157 



Diagnosis.— Diagnosis is rather difficult in most cases. 

 The chronic course, the characteristic symptoms, and the 

 findings of an explorative laparotomy suffice to make the 

 diagnosis. 



Prognosis.— The prognosis should be carefully guarded 

 until the causes and condition of the stomach are thoroughly 

 understood. Complete recovery is possible in both forms of 

 this disease, provided the wall of the stomach is not perma- 

 nently damaged and the general condition of the animal 

 capable of improvement. However, in stenosis of the pylorus, 

 it should always be considered unfavorable when tumors are 

 present. 



Treatment.— Dietetic— Small amounts of easily digested 

 food are to be given at short intervals during the day rather 

 than large quantities at long intervals. In some cases where 

 vomiting is persistent, rectal feeding should be employed 

 giving albumen or predigested foods. 



Medical. — In dilatation accompanied by lack of tone of 

 the muscle stomachic tonics, such as tincture of mix vomica 

 (0.3-0.6 twice daily) or strychnin sulphate (0.0005-0.001), 

 may be used. 



Massaging or kneading the abdominal wall over the 

 stomach is a valuable adjunct to increase the muscular tone. 

 When stenosis exists surgical interference is the only thing 

 that will give relief; it should be resorted to as early as 

 possible. (See Gastroduodenostomy). 



ULCERATION OF THE STOMACH. 



Ulcus Yentrlciili. 



Definition. —This condition is a more or less progressive 

 destruction through necrosis beginning in the mucosa and 

 often extending to and through the deeper layers of the 

 stomach wall. True ulcers appear only where the gastric 

 juice flows. They are found in the dog at the extreme lower 

 end of the esophagus, in the stomach wall itself, and in a 

 portion of the duodenum above the opening of the bile duct. 

 The ulcerations may be acute or chronic. Sometimes a ten- 

 dency to cicatrization and healing is shown. At the point 



