GASTRO-INTESTINAL CATARRH OF THE HORSE 103 



or the presence therein of a toxic substance (arsenic, carbolic 

 acid). Blood in the ejected mass speaks for gastritis, ulcers, 

 tumors or wounds of the stomach. If bowel contents are 

 ejected it indicates an occlusion of the bowel. In some cases 

 of secondary dilatation in the stomach of the horse the ejected 

 mass will resemble the contents of the colon. The signifi- 

 cance of vomition depends upon its cause and the disease 

 underlying it. In the horse it is considered more serious 

 than in other animals as it so often expresses rupture of the 

 stomach. Further, some of the vomited mass may become 

 aspirated and produce foreign body pneumonia, or more 

 rarely suffocation from blocking the nostrils. It is, therefore, 

 recommendable to make a careful examination of the animal 

 after vomiting to determine whether or not the stomach is 

 intact. As rupture of the stomach leads inevitably to peri- 

 toneal sepsis or peritonitis the symptoms of these conditions 

 will soon become evident. The pulse, temperature, visible 

 mucous membranes and peristalsis should be carefully noted 

 for any change which may be significant of this fact. 



Treatment. — ^Theoretically if vomiting is an effort to remove 

 from the stomach a surplus of contents or irritant matter 

 it should not be interfered with. Emetics (tartar emetic, 

 apomorphin, white hellebore, veratrin, ipecacuanha) may 

 even be given to stimulate further vomiting. However, in 

 animal practice, except with carnivora, this is rarely neces- 

 sary. In the horse it is recommended to use the stomach- 

 tube as directed in acute dilatation of the stomach. In the 

 ox we are sometimes called upon to arrest vomition. Nar- 

 cotic drugs (opium, chloral hydrate, bromides) may be given 

 per rectum or morphin subcutaneously. Camphor (3ij) 

 mixed with egg yolks is recommended. 



GASTRO-INTESTINAL CATARRH OF THE HORSE. 



Catarrhal Gastro-enteritis. 



Definition. — ^A catarrhal inflammation of the mucous 

 membrane of the stomach and bowels. While it occurs as a 

 primary disease, it is often a secondary condition. It may 

 be acute or chronic. 



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