Causes: As in acute chest diseases, abdominal tuberculosis. Lesions:
Thinning, discoloration, degeneration of mucosa, fœtid, mucous
contents, black baked masses, lymph glands pigmented. Symptoms:
Impaired appetite, irregular bowels, tympanies, lies with nose on
right flank, unthrifty coat, prostration, emaciation, weakness, tender
flank. Treatment: Dietetic, laxative, stimulant of peristalsis,
bitters, antiseptics, aromatics, muriatic acid, treat concurrent
disease.
_Causes._ This may result from a continuance of the causes that are
operative in the acute, or from the latter merging into the chronic
form. Chronic diseases of the heart and lungs, local disturbances of the
circulation, and tumors or tubercles of the intestines or mesentery are
additional causes.
_Lesions._ These embrace attenuation of the intestinal walls at Peyers’
patches, a dark, slaty discoloration of the mucosa, more or less
congestion, an accumulation of fœtid mucus in the small intestines, of
mucus and black baked fæcal matters in the large, and discoloration of
the mesenteric glands. Inter-dependent diseases of the heart, lungs and
liver are not uncommon.
_Symptoms._ Following the acute form there remain impaired or capricious
appetite and rumination, costiveness alternates with relaxation of the
bowels, intermittent slight tympanies occur, the subject inclines to lie
much with his nose in his flank, has dull coat, erect on back and neck,
sunken eyes, drooping ears, and rapidly loses flesh and strength.
Tenderness of the right side of the abdomen when the fist or knee is
pressed into it is a marked feature.
_Treatment._ The diet must be cared for as in the acute form, yet fresh
green grass, a little at a time, is calculated to stimulate appetite and
rumination and to prove laxative to the bowels. The same purgatives may
be given in one-fourth the doses and repeated daily or reduced as may be
found best to secure a moderate secretion and discharge from the bowels;
eserine or pilocarpin may be used for the same purpose; the bitters and
antiseptics may be given in the same way. As calmative aromatics, oil of
peppermint 30 drops, powdered anise ½ ounce, or ginger ½ ounce, may be
given twice or thrice daily.
Cadeac strongly recommends a drink slightly acidulated with hydrochloric
acid to assist the digestion and stimulate the stomach to action.
Attention must of course be given to any curable concurrent or
inter-dependent disease.