CHRONIC CATARRH OF THE STOMACH. 57 



Chronic Catarrh of the Stomach. 

 (Gasiriiis Catarrhalis Chronica; Chronio Dyspepsia.) 



Etiology. Chronic dyspepsia is rather common in the dog, 

 especially if the animal has had several attacks of acute dyspepsia. 

 It may also appear as a secondary complication of various diseases, 

 such as cancer of the stomach, gastiic tumors, and disorders of the 

 liver. 



Pathological Anatomy. The mucous membrane is covered 

 with a tough, glassy mucus, dirty-white in color. lu the early 

 stages the mucous membrane is red, and as the disease continues 

 the membrane becomes blackish-gray in color and more or less 

 swollen, especially if the gastric glands become infected and in- 

 durated from the constant irritation. 



Clinical Symptoms. They are similar to those of acute 

 catarrh of the stomach ; but the appetite, while it may be very 

 irregular, is not entirely absent — one day very good and the next 

 absent. Vomiting occurs, but only a short time after eating, and 

 consists of undigested food covered with quantities of tough, 

 glassy mucus, sometimes streaked with blood. Pain on pressure 

 in the region of the stomach, especially after eating, although this 

 is not a constant symptom by any means. The animal becomes 

 thin and shows every symptom of poor nutrition. 



We must always take into consideration that mere loss of appe- 

 tite does not always mean acute or chronic catarrh of the stomachy 

 but is a symptom present in a number of diseases, and every symp- 

 tom must be carefully examined before coming to a conclusion. 



Therapeutics. The washing out of the stomach, so often 

 resorted to in man, is fully explained on page 33. After so doing 

 it is well to irrigate the stomach with fresh water; in anaemic 

 animals with tepid water or with a solution of bicarbonate of 

 sodium, permanganate of potassium (in weak solution), or a weak 

 solution of salicylic acid. As a rule, however, it is not advisable 

 to do this unless you suspect sonie irritant or poisonous material 

 to be present. 



Give the animal a carefully regulated diet, as prescribed on 

 page 56, and internally alkaliues, such as bicarbonate of sodium 

 or sulphate or magnesium, a pinch three times daily, and also^ 



