ACUTE INDIGESTION. gl 
quite sure to over-indulge again and again if permitted to do so, and conse- 
quently keep their stomachs worried and unsettled, until at last there is quite 
serious derangement of them. 
In man only one gluttonous indulgence might be sufficient to produce acute 
indigestion, but several such would doubtless be required by the ordinary dog, 
assuming that the foods taken were fairly wholesome and easily digestible ; and 
the trouble fixed in him, the lining membrane of his stomach and a portion at 
least of his intestines are irritated, his appetite is impaired, and likely there is 
notable weakness and trembling. Vomiting or attempts to vomit may be made 
occasionally. If soon after eating and much is raised, it is generally undigested 
food. Vomiting may occur after drinking water merely, and then the same is 
returned bubbling and thickened by mucus. In severe cases of indigestion there 
is usually bloating, in consequence of gas in the stomach or intestines. The 
nose is hot and dry. The victim is irritable, and disposed to shun companion- 
ship and seek retired places. Often his tongue has a thick, whitish coat, and his 
breath is highly offensive, which symptoms generally lead to the conclusion that 
this attack is one of biliousness. As for his bowels, usually at first they are con- 
stipated, but after a time, if the trouble is severe, diarrhcea sets in, and persists 
until the offending substances have been carried out of the system. 
Acute indigestion merely —that is, the victim otherwise well — frequently 
requires only rest for the stomach, consequently the treatment should be of the 
starvation sort. A complete fast of from one to three days can do no harm, and 
is really advisable if the subject be fairly strong; but the caretaker declining to 
institute it under the mistaken notion that it is cruel, milk and lime-water, or 
skimmed milk, or butter-milk might be given in small quantities every four or 
five hours. 
If the bowels are not too active, it is well to stimulate them by means of a 
laxative. Since in indigestion there is usually an excess of acids in the alimen- 
tary canal, an antacid is the best to use; and of all such agents, there are none 
to be preferred to calcined magnesia, because it acts well, and has almost no 
taste, consequently can be given in milk. The right dose is a full tablespoon- 
ful; but this is not a powerful cathartic, and were it desirable to have the 
bowels move very freely, as when they are sluggish and the breath is highly 
offensive, about one-half a teaspoonful of powdered rhubarb should be added 
to the quantity of magnesia advised. Or if the bowels move none too often, and 
there is considerable “ bloating” after eating, worm medicine having been given 
without materially affecting the trouble, instead of magnesia alone it may be well 
to give the following mixture for a week or more, in teaspoonful doses, mixed 
with the food, once or twice daily : Magnesia, calcium phosphate, powdered char- 
coal, and sulphur, in equal parts. 
The fact should be kept in sight that in acute indigestion there is refuse of 
undigested or half-digested food in the intestines, if not in the stomach — unless 
