SIMPLE GASTBO-ENTERITIS. 



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The intense gastric phlegmasias are accompanied by a sharp 

 fever, which is marked by a small, hard, accelerated pulse and a 

 considerable elevation of the temperature, also by injection of the 

 mucous membranes, by a chilled condition of the extremities, and, 

 lastly, by profuse perspiration. In the horse the heart beats 80 

 to 100 times per minute ; the rectal temperature oscillates between 

 40° and 41°. When death approaches the temperature becomes 

 lower and may fall to the normal figure. As a rule, the general 

 sensibility is diminished ; in some animals, however, we observe 

 restlessness, anxiety, spasms, and convulsions; but stupefaction 

 and collapse soon follow the excited condition ; the beast staggers, 

 lies down, or falls exhausted. The colics cease toward the end of 

 life. Death occurs in coma. 



Course. In the horse the course of simple gastro-enteritis is 

 always rapid ; it rarely persists longer than a few days. The 

 chronic form, which lasts several weeks, is divided into periods of 

 exacerbation and ends in death. This is the form described by 

 Haubner and Siedamgrotzky ; it is probably only a thrombo- 

 embolic enteritis. 



Prognosis. It is a very serious and fatal disease in the majority 

 of cases. Moderate colics, light fever, the strong pulse which is 

 but little accelerated, and easy expulsion of the excrements, are 

 favorable prognostic symptoms. An intense fever, small and 

 evasive pulse, dyspnœa, obstinate constipation, the sudden cessa- 

 tion of pains, collapse, and profuse diarrhea are, on the contrary, 

 unfavorable prognostic signs. Death may be caused by various 

 accidents, but it is ordinarily provoked by intestinal necrosis with 

 consecutive septic infection, either through pulmonary oedema, 

 intestinal hemorrhage, or cardiac syncope. 



Differential diagnosis. 1. In order to distinguish gastro- 

 enteritis from gastro-intestinal catarrh we must depend upon the 

 intensity of the symptoms. The first will be recognized by its 

 high fever, the weakness of the heart, the general alarming condi- 

 tion, the intense colics, and the obstinate constipation followed by 

 bloody evacuations. 



2. It is harder to distinguish subacute gastro-enteritis designated 

 under the name of "inflammatory colics'' from other varieties of 

 colic ; sometimes the diagnosis is absolutely impossible during life. 

 As special symptoms of this variety of gastro-enteritis, we may 

 quote : high fever, a small and accelerated pulse, colics without 



