122 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS 



Certain irritant drugs (aloes, cantharides) can cause toxic 

 gastro-enteritis. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of simple gastro-enteritis are 

 much more intensive than those of catarrh. While at times 

 they develop gradually (follow catarrh), as a rule the onset is 

 sudden (six to ten hours). The principal symptom is ab- 

 dominal pain, which is continuous and generally severe. Ap- 

 petite for food is entirely absent, although water may be 

 taken at frequent intervals. In the early stages the bowels 

 are constipated and peristalsis suppressed. Later diarrhea 

 sets in; profuse quantities of miscolored, liquid feces are 

 voided. Depending upon the form of inflammation, the feces 

 may be admixed with blood (hemorrhagic enteritis), pus 

 (abscess, purulent enteritis), fibrinous masses (fibrinous 

 enteritis), necrotic tissue (diphtheritic enteritis), and mucus 

 (proctitis) . The pulse reaches 70 to 90 (in horse) and becomes 

 weak, small, and hard in character. The mucous membranes 

 (eyelid) grow cyanotic (toxemia). The temperature is ele- 

 vated (104° to 106° F.) and the type of fever intermittent in 

 prolonged cases. Toward the end the temperature is subnormal. 



The general condition of the patient is that of great pros- 

 tration. The body may be wet with sweat, the countenance 

 relaxed, eyes staring, legs and ears cold, and gait staggering. 

 The pulse becomes very weak, finally imperceptible, the 

 mucous membranes grow cyanotic, and toward the end the 

 patients are down in a soporous condition and may show 

 ' convulsive movements of the legs. 



Diagnosis. — Simple gastro-enteritis is characterized by its 

 sudden onset, rapid, fatal course, and the gravity of its 

 symptoms of abdominal pain (colic), tender "tucked-up" 

 abdomen, obstinate diarrhea, weak, wiry, frequent pulse, 

 fever, and in the last stages the marked mental depression 

 (sometimes excitement) and exhaustion. It might be con- 

 fused with certain poisonings (toxic gastro-enteritis). The 

 history of the case, number of animals affected, and the special 

 symptoms which accompany each form of poisoning generally 

 suffice for- differentiation. In some cases, however, only the 

 necropsy and chemical analysis of the ingesta will finally 

 determine. 



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