72 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 



Enteritis is designated tiy nearly all writers as inflammation of the 

 bowels. The name properly signifies an inflammation of the intestine, 

 restricted in its application to the small Intestine. The disease attacks the 

 mucous membrane, Involves the walls of the intestines, and sometimes 

 extends beyond to the tissues in the part where the inflammatory process 

 is going on. 



Causation.— The. cause is not always appreciable. The Intestinal 

 mucous membrane Is especially liable to inflammations, and even slight 

 irritations may suffice to excite the same. 



Improper food ; traumatic injuries; exhaustion from over-work; expo- 

 sure to cold in damp draughty kennels; abuse of cathartics; irritant 

 poisons ; these are the more common causes. The presence of woi-ms, 

 obstruction, liver derangements, prolonged suffering from colic are influ- 

 ences which may induce the affection. 



In pulmonary and certain other chronic diseases, enteritis is frequently 

 associated. An intestinal complication is not uncommon in distemper. 

 Certain climatic changes are weU known to influence the frequency of the 

 disease. 



.Symptoms. —The symptoms of enteritis are not very characteristic, at 

 least they vary considerably in their degree of development in different 

 cases. Constipation usually exists at flrst; then follows the most frequent 

 symptom of intestinal inflammation, diarrhoea, the discharges being thin 

 and wateiy mixed with mucus. Blood is a rare admixture, excepting in 

 cases where the rectum becomes inflamed either by the extension of the 

 disease from the small intestine, or by the passage out of acrid and irrita- 

 ting discharges. 



In many attacks the disease is ushered in by a ehUl as shown by shiver- 

 ings, then the usual constitutional signs of inflammation follow. The nose 

 becomes hot and dry, the tongue parched, the eyes reddened, the urine 

 scanty, and the pulse rapid and bounding. 



Abdominal pain is an almost constant symptom. Its character varies 

 considerably ; sometimes it is colicky, having intervals of increased sever- 

 ity ; at others it is continuous, dull, aching, and aggravated by pressure. 



The expression of the animal denotes anxiety, his moanings and rest- 

 lessness, his discomfort. When standing his body is arched and his tail is 

 pressed tightly between his legs. The abdomhial walls are flrm, hard, and 

 tense. Vomiting is quite a common symptom, sympathetic in character 

 generally, rather than due to any gastric irritation. The disease may ex- 

 tend and involve the stomach. 



The breathing in severe cases is hurried and painful ; the animal seems 



