The Abdomen 155 



that of the intestine is fairly common as a result of specific infec- 

 tions, the ingestion of foreign bodies and corrosive substances, 

 and the presence of spiroptera, but true peptic ulcer is a lesion of 

 great rarity. It is the latter which may be dealt with surgically. 

 Nothing is known with certainty as to its etiology, though it is 

 probable that some local defect such as an embolus may give rise 

 to an ulcer through the action of excessive hydrochloric acid secre- 

 tion. Mathes, by daily administration of hydrochloric acid, suc- 

 ceeded in producing a peptic ulcer in a dog in which an artificial 

 defect in the mucosa had previously been made. Other experi- 

 ments have shown that contusions through the abdominal wall 

 are possible factors. A peptic ulcer always has a sharp contour 

 as if it had been cut out with a knife or punch, because the dead 

 and necrosed part has been digested out by the gastric juice, which 

 has no effect upon the living mucosa. If an artery is involved 

 death may occur frdm hemorrhage (johne). An always possible 

 termination is perforation into the peritoneal cavity, but this does 

 not necessarily take place, as the area involved may become ad- 

 herent to the neighboring viscera through formation of inflam- 

 matory lymph. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The most prominent symptom is 

 hematemesis, though the lesion may exist and terminate in per- 

 foration without producing any definite diagnostic symptom prior 

 to dissolution. Walley conducted a necropsy, at which the pre- 

 sence of a perforated ulcer of this nature was demonstrated. 

 Symptoms of sudden collapse succeeding a history of chronic hema- 

 temesis are suspicious of perforation. Explorative celiotomy is 

 then indicated. A gastric lesion which does not respond to medical 

 treatment after a reasonable length of time is also an indication for 

 explorative celiotomy. The location of an ulcer cannot always 

 be determined from the serous side of the organ, and it may be 

 necessary to make an initial explorative gastrotomy, but there is 

 usually some thickening of the wall and discoloration of the serosa 

 at the seat of lesion. 



Treatment. This consists in resecting the diseased portion of 

 the wall (Partial Gastrectomy) and suturing the cut edges. 



TOESION. 



This lesion is observed exclusively in the dog, probably on 



