212 BISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



The diagnosis of poisonings which are accompanied by gastro- 

 enteritis is not always easy ; their symptoms are frequently like 

 those of true gastro-eoteritis. In general, we must especially take 

 into account : 



1. The history, which is ordinarily very incomplete ; 



2. The sudden invasion, the rapid course, and sudden death ; 



3. The appearance of the symptoms during or immediately after 

 meals ; 



4. The enzootic character of the disease ; 



5. The gastric and mucous complications ; 



6. The special symptomatic phenomena of certain poisonings and 

 anatomical lesions ; 



7. The physical, chemical, and physiological analysis. 



I. TOXIC GASTRO-ENTERITIS PRODUCED BY ACRID POISONS. 



1. Poisoning by Caustic Alkalies (Qaicklimej Ammonia, Lye), 



Symptoms. Salivation, dysphagia, diarrhea, groans, cough (in 

 poisoning through ammonia), dyspnœa, throwing out of mem- 

 branous masses of a croupous appearance, muscular weakness, 

 collapse. 



Pathological anatomy. Croupous stomatitis and pharyngitis, 

 croupous laryngitis (when volatile alkali is involved), tracheitis, 

 bronchitis, pneumonia ; intense inflammation, black or dark-red 

 coloration, gelatinous infiltration, and corrosion of the gastric 

 mucous membrane. 



Treatment. Diluted acids, and especially vinegar ; opium, and 

 mucilaginous preparations. Poisoning by quicklime may be pro- 

 duced when the stables are disinfected by this agent. Ammonia 

 provokes more or less serious accidents when given in a form too 

 concentrated (in tympanites of the ox, for instance) when used to 

 increase the action of setons, or when it is applied upon the tongue 

 of the ox as a therapeutic agent (Steinzunge). Lye is sometimes 

 lapped by thirsty dogs. 



2. Poisoning by Caustic Acids (Sulphuric Acid). 



Symptoms. They are the same as in ulcerous stomatitis and 

 in subacute gastro- enteritis : tumefied, red, cauterized lips ; much 

 inflamed buccal mucous membrane ; violent colics, suppressed 

 peristaltic movements; frequent and small pulse; rapid death. 



