GASTRO-INTESTINAL CATARRH OF THE HORSE 95 



(c) Bad teeth (sharp teeth, split teeth, alveolar periostitis, 

 caries, etc.). 



(d) Vices (wind sucking, cribbing). 



(e) Chronic diseases of liver, lungs, heart (induce congestion 

 of portal system). 



(/) Parasitism. 



(g) Senility (most decrepid "anatomy skates" suffer from 

 chronic gastro-intestinal catarrh). 



Acute gastro-intestinal catarrh is secondary to acute 

 general infectious diseases (influenza, strangles), blood 

 diseases (anemia, leukemia, pseudoleukemia, etc.). It may 

 also be embolic in origin from strongylus armatus in anterior 

 mesenteric artery. 



Symptoms. — Gastric Symptoms. — Impaired, lost or capri- 

 cious appetite. In some cases the appetite is vitiated (eat 

 unnatural th ings) . The patients drink little water. Tendency 

 to yawn and vomiting is rare. The mucous membranes are 

 "muddy," discolored, those of the mouth often coated with 

 soapsuds-like foam. The expirium is sweetish, nauseating. 

 The pulse, respirations and temperature are usually little 

 affected in primary cases. The patient is languid, lazy, 

 sweats and tires easily when at work. 



Intestinal Symptoms. — If the stomach is not involved 

 appetite may be normal. If diarrhea exist there is great 

 thirst. The peristalsis is lively and the borborygmus may 

 be audible quite a distance from the patient. Colicky pains, 

 especially after eating or drinking. Dung passed at first 

 in small, hard, mucus-covered pellets, later softer (cow-dung 

 consistency) and finally diarrhea, the discharges very fluid 

 and fetid. Anal flatus is frequent, loud and fetid. Some 

 patients are sensitive to palpation over region of small 

 bowels. Icterus appears if duodenum is involved. Urine 

 is acid; indican increased. In chronic cases on account 

 of the irreparable connective-tissue thickening of the bowel 

 mucous membrane and the atrophy of the glands the nutri- 

 tion of the organism suffers. The patient loses flesh, the 

 abdomen becomes "tucked up," the hair coat dull, long 

 and erect; the skin "scurfy," harsh, inelastic and leather- 

 like ("hide bound"). Anemia, emaciation, cachexia appear 



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