ULCERATION OF THE STOMACH 159 



during the life of the animal. In more advanced ulcerations 

 the symptoms are often very similar to chronic gastritis 

 (see Chronic Gastritis). Bloody vomiting is a characteristic 

 symptom. The amount of blood ejected varies depending 

 upon the extent of the injury to the vessels done by the ulcera- 

 tive process. This condition usually persists for a long time 

 with exacerbations and remissions. When the ulcer perfo- 

 rates the wall of the stomach symptoms of acute peritonitis 

 develop rapidly and a fatal termination soon follows. 



General symptoms of emaciation, weakness, and disturb- 

 ances of the intestinal tract are usually observed. 



Diagnosis.— An accurate diagnosis is very difficult, and can 

 only be made by a careful observation of the symptoms. 

 When ulceration is suspected laparotomy can be performed 

 (see Foreign Bodies of the Stomach) to determine the condi- 

 tion of the stomach. However, when the ulcerative process 

 is slight or only erosions are present, even this examination 

 may not suffice for diagnosis. 



Prognosis.— The prognosis is always unfavorable, as only 

 the advanced cases are recognized clinically. 



Treatment.— Dietetic— Only small quantities of easily 

 digested food (beef broth, milk, small amounts of lean meat 

 finely divided) should be allowed, as there is danger of the 

 wall rupturing at the point of ulceration. 



Medical.— Astringents and hemostatics are indicated (bis- 

 muth subnitrate 0.3-0.5, or silver nitrate 0.05-0.1 well 

 diluted in distilled water) . These preparations can be admin- 

 istered two or three times daily, depending upon the action 

 desired. Where severe hemorrhage takes place, adrenalin 

 chlorid (1.0-2.0 of a 1-1000 sol.) may be given several 

 times daily until the hemorrhage stops. To neutralize the 

 acid secretions in the stomach Carlsbad salts (2.0-4.0) can 

 be used twice daily. In cases where vomiting is persistent 

 small doses of tincture of opium (0.2-0.5) are administered 

 every two hours until vomiting ceases. 



Surgical.— In some cases where medical treatment does not 

 afford relief, laparotomy should be performed (see Foreign 

 Bodies of the Stomach) and the ulcerated area extirpated 

 (see Gastrotomy, under Foreign Bodies of the Stomach). 



