Diagnosis. The diagnosis is rather difficult, for the condition is very apt to be confused with primary dyspepsia, or with inflammation of the gastric compartments. It might also be mistaken for acute enteritis of the first part of the small intestine; but as gastritis is very often complicated with duodenitis, such a mistake is without serious consequences.
Prognosis. The prognosis is grave, not because death is a frequent termination, but because the disease very often leads to chronic incurable lesions.
The lesions consist of congestion of the vascular network of the mucous and sub-epithelial coats, serous infiltration of the corium and submucous connective layers, desquamation, and later in excessive proliferation of the epithelium.
When the inflammation is deep seated the epithelium of the gastric glands becomes swollen and cloudy, and undergoes a kind of atrophic degeneration. In very grave cases, petechiæ, superficial capillary hæmorrhages, and slight ulceration may be noted. The mucous folds are always thickened and infiltrated.
Treatment. In cases of gastritis or acute gastro-duodenitis moderate bleeding (three to four quarts) and local stimulation were formerly recommended. This practice certainly has its advantages, provided it is not pushed to excess. Sinapisms give good results, but as they must be left in position for a considerable time, it is often better to apply vesicants over the lower right hypochondriac region. At first purgatives are useful, because they unload the digestive tract, arrest the organic fermentation which results from stagnation in the movement of food along the alimentary tract, and diminish the tendency to intoxications or infections.
At a later stage small doses of laxatives and bicarbonate of soda should be given daily, the diet being of an emollient character, and consisting of milk, starchy or farinaceous foods, and small quantities of good hay.
Linseed, bran, cooked grain, decoctions of pellitory, barley and various cereals may also be administered with advantage.
CATARRHAL GASTRITIS IN SWINE.
Definition. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa, with muco-purulent discharge.
The causes comprise irritants, fermented or putrid swill, decomposed food, excess of brine, alkalies (washings from table dishes, hotels, etc.), gastric parasites.