310 PHINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



Treatment. — Attempts should be made to work the object 

 up into the mouth rather than to force it down into the stomach, 

 as the wall of the esophagus might be ruptured. A speculum to 

 hold the mouth open is applied and the hand inserted into the 

 animal's throat to grasp and remove the obstacle. A hypoder- 

 mic injection of arecoline to stimulate the secretions is very- 

 useful and often all that is necessary. Should marked bloating 

 occur, the stomach wall must be punctured as described in the 

 preceding section. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS 



Another term for this disease is enteritis. In this affection the 

 mucous lining of the intestines becomes greatly congested and 

 inflamed. It is acute, severe, and usually fatal, so is one of the 

 most serious diseases of animals. 



Causes. — In practice enteritis most frequently appears as a 

 sequela of indigestion. When twists and folds of the intestines 

 that interfere with the circulation occur, they cause intense 

 enteritis. 



Symptoms. — At first the symptoms are similar to those of 

 colic, but are more pronounced in every way except the abdom- 

 inal pain. In the mild form of enteritis the appetite is irregular, 

 there is some abdominal soreness and pain after meals and con- 

 siderable lassitude. The feces have a bad odor and are soft. 

 In the severe form these symptoms are aggravated. The case 

 is ushered in with severe chills and fever above 103°F., as a rule. 

 The pulse is hard, fast, and wiry; the respirations are hurried and 

 oppressed; the visible mucous membranes become deeply con- 

 gested. When the animal lies down it does so very carefully. 

 Pressure over the abdomen causes pain and will be resented. 

 An anxious, distressed expression is noticeable, and the patient 

 either paws continuously or walks around in his stall until ex- 

 hausted. The disease is usually fatal. 



Treatment.- — Little can be done by way of treatment other 

 than to mitigate the animal's sufferings. Ounce doses of lauda- 

 num in a quart of linseed tea will relieve the pain and act as a 

 dressing to the inflamed lining of the intestines. No food should 

 be given until signs of recovery are observed. 



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