DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. 65 



With regard to medicinal agents, opium, from 3 to lo 

 grains, is the best agent for allaying an irritated or sensitive 

 condition of the stomach, and also in checking diarrhcEa. 

 Constipation is most safely overcome with tepid water ene- 

 mas. The return to solid food should be gradual, and that 

 which is given easy of digestion and plain. 



Chronic or Sub-acute Gastritis is much more frequently met 

 with in dogs than the former. 



Causes. — Protracted dyspepsia, constipation, unwholesome 

 and indigestible food, or it may be a sequel to acute gastritis. 



Symptoms. — Tenderness over the region of the stomach, 

 frequent eructations, vomiting after meals, furred tongue, 

 bowels usually constipated, and often there is a dry cough. 



Treatment. — Bicarbonate of soda and charcoal as advised 

 in indigestion, an occasional aperient of aloes and rhubarb, 

 with the same description of food named in the preceding 

 form of the disease, are the measures to be adopted. 



INVERSION OF THE STOMACH. 

 This is of rare occurrence in the dog, perhaps more so 

 than might have been expected, considering the frequency of 

 and susceptibility to vomiting. 



From the "Abstract of the Proceedings of the Veterinary Medi- 

 cal Association for 1838-9." 

 " Mr. Ainslie laid before the Association a singular speci- 



tenderness of the stomach is more due to the extent and severity of these 

 lesions than to tlie exalted impressibility of the nervous system, the diet 

 must often be exceedingly rigid, being limited to some of the most bland 

 and soft or liquid articles of food, such as milk, arrowroot, gruel or beef-tea, 

 which can sometimes only be tolerated when given in the smallest quan- 

 tities at a time, such as a tablespoonfiil or a teaspoonful. In cases m 

 which acidity prevails, one-third part of lime-water is advantageously 

 added. When these small quantities are given, they must be repeated 

 every ten or twenty minutes with occasional longer intervals, and if msuffi- 

 cient to support the patient, injections of good beef-tea must, m addition, 

 be thrown into the rectum." 



5 



