Adenosarcoma. This formation in the horse leads to a thickening of large patches of the mucosa. It also grows out in mushroom like masses, or is irregularly lobulated.
Epithelioma. In the horse epithelioma has been found at the pylorus and on the great curvature of the stomach. It usually grows out as a rounded mass varying in size from an egg to an infant’s head, and may be even a diffuse thickening of the mucosa. Microscopically the individual lobules, are composed of cylindroid cells surrounding a central mass of epidermoid cells. The stomach may be greatly contracted, and the surface of the neoplasm, ulcerated or even excavated. In the dog similar formations are found.
Carcinoma. In cattle Scirrhus of the abomasum is described. Small tumors rise to a height of ½ to 3 inches, and are closely packed together so as to assume polygonal forms. The surface is smooth, or perforated by orifices leading into ulcerous or suppurating cavities. On section the mass shows a fibrous or a lardaceous consistency. They are most common in the pyloric region, and may partially obstruct this orifice.
Symptoms. These are necessarily obscure. In the horse periodic gastric indigestions and colics may be the sole indications, which are certainly not pathognomonic. In other cases, have been noticed: vertigo, salivation, impacted gullet, and blackish, sanguinolent fæces due to ulceration and hemorrhage from the tumors.
In cattle have been observed variable and capricious appetite, imperfect rumination, tympany, eructations, vomiting, rumbling of the bowels, constipation, slow painful walk, progressive emaciation and debility. When blood is discharged by emesis or defecation the suspicion of gastric tumor may be strengthened.
In the dog there are the usual signs of chronic gastritis, thirst, anorexia, stiffness, a disposition to lie, sunken eye, dyspnœa, vomiting, often of blood. The discharge of blood by mouth and anus, the distended abdomen, the tumor usually easily detected by manipulation, and the progressive loss of condition are strongly suggestive.
Treatment of these cases is hopeless. In the dog alone for a circumscribed tumor, laparotomy, the removal of the tumor and closure of the wound may be tried.
ACUTE INTESTINAL INDIGESTION IN THE HORSE. INTESTINAL TYMPANY.
Definition. Causes: Debility—general and local, and its causes, fermentescible food, legumes, new grain, paralyzing seeds, musty fodder, defective teeth, jaws and salivary glands, iced water after grain, verminous embolism, chill. Symptoms: Anamnesis, colic, gaseous distension, stupor, death, diagnosis from spasmodic colic. Course: Fatal in two hours, or more. Recovery. Lesions: Distension of bowels with carburetted hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen, redness of intestinal mucosa, anæmia of abdominal organs, congestion of cutaneous and surface vessels. Treatment: Stimulants, antiseptics, enemata, chloral hydrate, puncture, eserine, pilocarpin, friction, massage, exercise, dieting, bitters.
Definition. A gaseous overdistension of the intestines, from fermentations in the ingesta, but also in part from air that has been swallowed, and from carbon dioxide exhaled from the blood circulating in the intestinal mucosa.