Causes: Debility, age, anæmia, leucæmia, lymph gland, kidney, heart or
lung disease, parasitism, dental or salivary disease, coarse, fibrous
food, spoiled food, putrid water, gastric neoplasms. Symptoms:
Impaired appetite, eating lime or earth, weariness, costiveness,
coated dung, tympanies, diarrhœas, fatigue, sweating, unthrifty hide,
pallid mucosæ, emaciation, colics. Lesions: Thickened right gastric
mucosa, discoloration, mucus, petechiæ, opaque granular epithelium,
gastric dilatation. Treatment: Remove causes, diet, watering,
exercise, sunshine, bismuth, pepsin, acids, bitters, electricity,
antiseptics, stomachics.
_Causes._ These are in the main the causes which operate in producing
the acute affection. In most chronic cases they act continuously on a
system rendered susceptible by debility or otherwise. Among predisposing
causes may be named: The debility of old age, anæmia, leucæmia, chronic
diseases of the lymph glands, of the liver, kidney, heart, or lung,
parasitic diseases, diseases of the jaws, teeth, or salivary glands
which interfere with proper mastication and insalivation. Among exciting
causes may be named: A coarse, fibrous, innutritious diet, a too bulky
diet, spoiled fodders of all kinds, putrid drinking water, and stomach
parasites (spiroptera, œstrus larva). Actual disease of the
stomach—papilloma, cancer, actinomycosis, tumors, and oat-hair or other
concretions are further causes.
_Symptoms._ Impaired or capricious appetite, a disposition to lick the
walls or earth, or to drink impure water, yawning, constipation with
glossy mucus-covered fæces, and slight tympany, alternating with
diarrhœa, small, accelerated pulse, susceptibility to perspiration and
fatigue on slight exertion, unthrifty skin and hair, hide-bound, dry,
hot mouth, coated tongue, pallor of the mucous membranes, loss of
condition, and increasing weakness. Slight colics may occur at
intervals, and the sluggishness may deepen into stupor or vertigo.
_Lesions._ The right sac is usually the seat of more or less hypertrophy
of the mucosa, which is thickened, rugose, with patches of dark red,
gray and slate color, and covered with a layer of tenacious mucus. The
surface may show warty-like elevations, or papillary projections, with
here and there patches of blood extravasation. The epithelial cells are
increased, opaque and contain many fatty granules.
Dilatation of the stomach is not uncommon especially in old horses, and
then the mucosa may be attenuated and smooth.
Hyperthermia may be present, but is so slight that inflammation cannot
be predicated from it and it is difficult to establish a diagnosis from
chronic dyspepsia.
_Treatment._ It is important to first correct any curable predisposing
disorder, in teeth, jaws, salivary glands, blood, or internal organs, to
carefully regulate feeding, watering and work, to secure as far as
possible an outdoor life, and to employ bitter and other tonics. All
over-exertion or fatigue must be carefully avoided. The food may be as
advised for the more acute affection. Costiveness may be best met by
boiled flaxseed, or in case of necessity by bran mashes, or green food.
The irritation of the stomach may be benefited by nitrate of bismuth (3
to 4 drs.) and pepsin, and dilute muriatic acid with each meal are often
of value. Nux Vomica (10 to 25 grs. twice daily) will help to restore
the lost tone, and a current of electricity may be sent through the
epigastrium daily. As alternatives, sulphate of quinia or gentian may
replace the nux, and salol or salicylate of bismuth may take the place
of the nitrate. Bicarbonate of soda in ½ dr. doses, common salt in ½ oz.
doses, and fennel in ½ oz. doses are sometimes useful in re-establishing
gastric functions.