DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 93 



hibit a complete list; but sticks, stones, pins, 

 needles, bones, coins, and corks are among 

 those generally met with. 



Symptoms. — In many instances the patient 

 shows no ill effects unless the foreign body 

 either perforates the stomach or, passing on, 

 blocks the intestines. Silver coins may remain 

 in the stomach for years and cause no illness 

 whatever, but copper coins undergo corrosion 

 in the stomach or intestine and in time cause 

 serious illness or death. In the case of pins, 

 hat pins, and needles, their presence in the 

 stomach is often unsuspected until an abscess 

 forms either in the esophageal region, between 

 some of the posterior ribs, or in the flank. The 

 history of the case should be obtained and the 

 habits of the animal inquired into, to determine 

 whether the patient has actually been seen to 

 swallow something, or is jn the habit of picking 

 up and swallowing odds and ends. The most 

 prominent symptoms are attempts at vomiting, 

 poor appetite, general dullness and depression, 

 irregularity of the bowels, blood in the feces, 

 general unthriftiness, and emaciation. 



An examination with the Roentgen rays 

 makes the diagnosis more positive. A careful 

 digital examination should also be made 

 through the abdominal walls, but this is very 

 often negative. 



Treatment. — In the case of small articles. 



