ACUTE GASTRO-INTESTINAL CATARRH IN THE HORSE. 75 



thick slimy mucus, frothy and bad-smelling; the buccal cavity 

 contains a considerable accumulation of thick thread-like mucus, 

 of an alkaline reaction. Lampas is often noticed, and as the ani- 

 mals eat but little, the tongue is coated. Finally, cases are quite 

 common where gastro-intestinal catarrh is complicated with a true 

 catarrhal stomatitis. 



In the early stages of the disease examination of the belly gives 

 no indication of the condition, but later on it becomes emptied and 

 tucked up. The peristaltic movements of the intestine may continue 

 normal ; in some cases they are suppressed ; the excrements are dry 

 and coated, and are passed in small quantities, and often at very 

 short intervals ; undigested alimentary matters are frequently found. 

 There is no change in the normal constituents of the urine, and its 

 modifications are important. 



The general condition varies according to the intensity of the 

 trouble and the degree of resistance possessed by the animal ; we 

 observe stupefaction, laziness, and a tender condition during work ; 

 they become tired rapidly and perspire at the least effort ; breath- 

 ing is painful. Fever is often absent, and when it exists is always 

 moderate ; the rectal temperature increases but a few tenths of a 

 degree, and the pulsations hardly exceed the normal by more than 

 ten per minute. This febrile condition persists, however, for a few 

 days only. In rare cases we observe chills at the initial period ; 

 the temperature of the body is irregularly distributed, the ears and 

 the extremities being cold ; all the mucous membranes are more or 

 less injected. 



Sometimes febrile manifestations exist, at other times they are 

 wanting. It is, therefore, illogical to substitute the term "acute 

 catarrh of the stomach " by " gastric fever.'' If we wish to become 

 more thoroughly acquainted with these morbid conditions formerly 

 designated by the collective name of " gastric fever " we should re- 

 member the following facts : 



1. Formerly, all apyretic diseases of the stomach were designated 

 under the names of dyspepsia, status gastricus, difficult digestion, 

 etc. ; these were in opposition to the group of pyretic diseases of this 

 organ, which were known as " gastric fever.'' But at the present 

 time it is more rational to separate them into pyretic gastric catarrh 

 and apyretic gastric catarrh. 



2. For a long time we have noticed that there are subjects in 

 ivhich an apparently benign gastric affection — or, to speak more 



