SIMPLE GASTBO-ENTEBITIS. 



195 



differ only from acute gastro-intestinal catarrh through their greater 

 intensity and by the character of the phlegmasia, which is paren- 

 chymatous. But in certain cases the catarrhal inflammation ends 

 by involving the mucous membrane in its whole thickness, and 

 determines lesions which are difficult to connect with gastro- 

 enteritis or acute gastro-intestinal catarrh. However, such cases 

 are but rarely met with in practice. As a general rule, to gastro- 

 enteritis belongs a more marked congestion, often going as far as 

 hemorrhage; the superficial desquamative process is replaced by 

 a parenchymatous, phlegmonous, or purulent infiltration of the 

 mucous membrane, or even by its mortification. 



In the stomach we find a diffuse or circumscribed redness, taking 

 various shades from a light to a very dark red ; the mucous mem- 

 brane, which is much tumefied and folded, is covered with ecchy- 

 moses or blackish spots, varying io size. Its surface is sometimes 

 smooth and coated with a mucous exudate, which may be of a 

 whitish, grayish, or bloody color, at times marked with superficial 

 ulcerations, with sharp, regular edges, and the base of which is 

 sometimes covered with a blood-clot (hemorrhagic erosions.) These 

 are especially found upon the folds close to the pylorus (particularly 

 in the stomach of dogs and in the abomasum of the ox). They 

 are produced by hemorrhagic infiltration and the consecutive necro- 

 sis of the mucous membrane. The surface of this membrane is also 

 dotted with small spherical nodes formed by the pepsin glands, which 

 are tumefied and affected by fatty degeneration. The submucous 

 connective tissue is the seat of a gelatinous or purulent infiltration. 



The intestinal mucous membrane is distinctly hyperemic; its 

 redness is diffuse or spread in small dots, stars, nets, in spots or 

 blotches. It is tumefied, infiltrated with liquid, and softened ; at 

 times it presents but a purulent mass, whilst in other instances it is 

 covered with dry crusts of bad appearance. The latter are more 

 or less adherent according to the depth of the furrow of separation 

 which is formed at their periphery ; their complete elimination may 

 determine perforation of the viscera. In some regions the epithe- 

 lium of the mucous membrane is often detached from a large sur- 

 face ; the papillse are hypertrophied and projecting ; if the section 

 is placed in water they float manifestly and give the mucous mem- 

 brane a velvety look. The solitary follicles are sometimes intact, 

 sometimes swollen and surrounded with a red areola ; they pre- 

 dominate in the shape of small pimples of the size of a pin-head ; 



