276 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



LOSS OF THE CUD. 



This is merely a symptom of disease, and not a disease of itself. 

 Loss of cud means not chewing the cud, and shows that digestion 

 is not being performed, and that the animal is not well. The 

 cud is a portion of the food that is brought up from the stomach 

 and remasticated. A cow while eating chews its food very little, 

 therefore the greater portion of it is brought up and chewed over 

 again by the animal. Don't force dish-rags or the like into the 

 cow's mouth to give her a cud, as some do, but give her good care 

 and treat her for the disease from which she is suffering, and 

 the cud will come back all right when she gets well. 



INDIGESTION OF THE THIRD STOMACH DRY 

 MURRAIN GRASS STAGGERS. , 



This is a digestive disorder affecting principally the third 

 stomach of cattle. It is often called dry murrain, but that is 

 not a proper name for the trouble. 



Causes. It is generally seen among cattle that are eating 

 coarse, dry, indigestible food. It is often seen after the grass 

 becomes dry in the summer. A change from the green grass of 

 spring to the dry, ripe grass of summer will produce it, especially 

 where cattle are not allowed sufficient salt and fresh water. Food 

 with astringent properties, such as acorns, will cause it. 



Symptoms. The animal becomes dull and stupid, with loss of 

 appetite. Constipation is present, and there is generally a full- 

 ness of the left flank. The animal loses flesh, becomes weak, and 

 lays down most of the time off by itself. Horns and ears be- 

 come cold, and there may be some bloating present. In some 



