134 



Wine of ipicac is said to be very valuable in some 

 forms of dysentery in man. It may be given to calves or 

 colts in 1 tablespoonful doses; 10 drops to the lamb. 



ACUTE INDIGESTION IN CATTLE. 



This is sometimes called "hoven" or "bloat." In the 

 first stomach or paunch, there may be undigested, fer- 

 menting food, resulting in the formation of gases ( car- 

 bon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, etc. ) and possibly some 

 acids or toxic alkaloids or glucosides. 



The causes are not always apparent, but generally it 

 is due to over feeding or sudden change from dry feed 

 to green succulent peavines, potato vines, corn, sor- 

 ghum, clover, oats, potatoes or turnips which undergo 

 fermentation in the paunch. When a cow or an ox lies 

 down for some time, as in milk fever, lung fever or tick 

 fever, the digestive organs may be checked in action or 

 partially paralyzed; then fermentation may occur. 



Symptoms. — If gas is formed the abdomen becomes 

 distended and resonant; (left flank larger than the 

 right,) respirations are rapid and shallow; tempera t^i'e 

 about normal ; animal may grunt or moan. 



In some cases (Dieckerhoff) the greatest swelling or 

 distention of the abdoirci may appear in 15 to 20 min- 

 utes after eating clover (especially when the clovei^ is 

 in a partially A\ithered or wilted condition on a hot 

 day). 



In some cases of indigestion there is no appreciable 

 quantity of gas formed and consecjuently little or no dis- 

 tention of the abdomen and flanks; the api>etite m;)y be 

 partially or completely suspended; little or no ranii- 

 nation (chewing and regurgitating of the cuds), the 

 paunch or first stomach is inactive or paralyzed; bowels 

 noruiiU in acting during the first day, constipated or in- 

 active thereafter, except in few instances where the bow- 

 els may be very l4:>ose and active; pulse may be acceler- 



