DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS 29 



1. DIETETIC TREATMENT 



Since the greater portion of the diseases of the stomach in the 

 domestic animals is due to abnormal properties in the food or to 

 excessive feeding, the most important task of the veterinarian is the 

 regulation of the diet. Sound, easily digested food, given in small 

 quantity and at frequent intervals, is a primary requisite — green 

 fodder, hay, carrots, molasses, etc., for herbivora; milk, raw meat, 

 mucilaginous soups for dogs. In some cases, especially in colic of 

 the horse, impaction of the rumen in cattle and acute gastric catarrh 

 in the dog, it is advisable to withhold food entirely. Dogs must be 

 deprived of water also sometimes; in morbid conditions of the 

 stomach these animals drink large quantities of water and per- 

 sistent vomiting results. These methods, by resting the affected 

 parts, bring about complete recovery in many cases. Work ani- 

 mals should have bodily rest in addition, because severe exertion 

 or exercise reduces or entirely suppresses gastric digestion. 



2. MEDICINES. (STOMACH REMEDIES. STOMACHICS) 



Synonyms: Digestives in a restricted sense, peptics, ruminatorics, 

 anti-dyspeptics, antemetics, antacids, neutralizants, absorbents, suppletives; 

 stimulants to the appetite, improvers of the digestion, acid-combating, 

 stimulants to rumination. 



Classification. — ^According to their action and composition, the 

 stomachics are divided into the following groups: 



(a) Physiological Stomachics. — These are normally con- 

 tained in the gastric juice and when decreased in quantity or absent 

 are supplied artificially. They are: acidum hydrochloricum and 

 pepsinum. It is best to administer both together, as it is not prac- 

 ticable to determine in animals if one or the other is absent. They 

 can be used in the treatment of all diseases of the stomach and in 

 all disturbances of digestion in the course of febrile and general dis- 

 eases with the exception of the rarely occurring gastric ulcers 

 (calves). In veterinary practice hydrochloric acid is most com- 

 monly used. 



The dose of hydrochloric acid for cattle is 15-30, 3ss to §j; 

 horses, 10-20, Sijss to 5v; calves, sheep, goats and swine, 1-2, 



