'74 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



clesquamations in serious catarrh, which are called catarrhal ero- 

 sions. 



The product of the catarrhal mucous membrane consists of a 

 fluid rich in epithelial cells ; the variable proportion of the latter 

 gives it a serous, mucous, or pus-like consistence. It is ordinarily 

 of a grayish or reddish color ; sometimes the hemorrhages color it 

 a more or less intense red. When the epithelial destruction is par- 

 ticularly marked, the catarrh is said to be desquamative. 



The mesenteric ganglions always participate in the inflamma- 

 tion. 



Histological examination of the mucous membrane has not been 

 made. Ziegler has found, in man, cellular infiltration of the con- 

 nective tissue surrounding Lieberkiihn's glands. This lesion is 

 constant in cases of catarrh of medium intensity. 



Symptoms. These are more or less marked, in proportion to 

 the degree and extent of the trouble, its causes, and the degree of 

 resistance of the animal. 



1. Symptoms of acute gastric catarrh. The reduced 

 appetite constitutes the first and often the only symptom visible 

 to the owner. There is either entire inappétence, or the animals 

 eat little and slowly ; the appetite is irregular, capricious, and 

 ordinarily the patients prefer straw and coarse food to good nutri- 

 ments ; aberrations of taste may be observed, as licking," or an 

 irresistible desire to eat their litter, especially when soiled with 

 excrement and urine. Thirst is usually diminished ; some animals 

 refuse water absolutely. The irritation of the terminal branches of 

 the vagus nerve may cause frequent yawnings by reflex action, 

 which may be seen to last for hours at a time. 



In the horse, overloading of the stomach occasionally produces 

 nausea and even true vomiting, but without serious danger to the 

 animal and without the manifestation of severe colics. Numerous 

 facts demonstrate, that these mild vomitings, caused by gastric 

 catarrh or overloading of the stomach, are not so rare as is gener- 

 ally admitted. These vomiting spells are harmless; they are quite 

 common, especially in the mountains, where horses left at liberty 

 often eat considerable quantities of the leaves of hellebore, Veratrum 

 album. (See Colics from Overeating.) 



As a rule, the buccal mucous membrane presents very marked 

 modifications. It may be found pale, dirty yellow, or livid red; 

 at the beginning of the disease it is dry, later it is covered with a 



