G ASTRO-ENTERITIS 125 



preceded by symptoms of ill health beyond those of a mild 

 indigestion. In other cases the prodromal symptoms are 

 those of a severe gastro-enteritis, with great prostration, lost 

 appetite, high fever, bowel hemorrhage, etc. 



Diagnosis. — A diagnosis is only possible when croupous 

 membranes are found mixed with the feces. Shreds of the 

 pseudomembranes may be mistaken for worms, prolapsed 

 bowel, and portions of tendons accidentally swallowed. 



Course. — The course is usually one or two weeks, ending in 

 recovery. Death occurs only in those cases in which symp- 

 toms of severe gastro-enteritis appear or more rarely may be 

 due to a complete obstruction of the bowel through the 

 accumulation of fibrinous masses. 



Prognosis.^Usually good. Most cases recover. 



Treatment. — A large dose of salts (lbs. j-ij) is very useful. 

 It may be followed by the administration of oils (raw linseed 

 or castor oil Oj-ij). The after-treatment is the same as 

 recommended in gastro-intestinal catarrh (diet, hygiene, 

 stimulants, ' demulcents) . 



Mycotic Gastro-enteritis (Silage Poisoning. Forage Poison- 

 ing. Mold Poisoning. Cryptogamic Poisoning. Falsely called 

 " Cerebrospinal Meningitis." Leuko-encephalitis) . — Definition. 

 — A form of gastro-enterosis leading to intoxication of the 

 central nervous system, affecting herbivorous animals and 

 due to the ingestion of food infested with certain moulds. 

 The disorder is probably not a clinical entity. 



Occurrence. — Forage poisoning is very prevalent in the 

 United States, appearing particularly among horses which 

 have eaten corn, silage, shredded fodder, corn stalks or corn 

 cobs. The disorder may, however, occur in horses on pasture 

 and which have not been fed corn. During hot, showery 

 seasons the rank growth of grass, which mats together, forms 

 an ideal medium for the development of various moulds 

 which are pathogenic. In all probability water drunk from 

 stagnent pools or shallow wells may also be a factor. Lands 

 in low flat sections which are periodically flooded by streams 

 flowing through them are especially dangerous in this regard. 

 The disease is therefore quite prevalent along the river 

 valleys of the United States. Cattle and sheep are also 



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