ENGORGEMENT OE THE RUMEN. 



241 



ENGORGEMENT AND INFLAMMATION OF THE 

 RUMEN (PLENALVIA), 



Which is caused by excessive quantities of food, entails 

 more suffering than hoven, which is caused mostly by 

 gas. The disorders are easily distinguished. The swell- 

 ing in hoven resembles an inflated bladder and is resom 

 ant on percussion, while the engorged stomach has a soft, 

 doughy feel and pits on pressure. The swelling is on the 

 left side in both disorders. The animal is dull ; suffers 



Fig. 107. The rumen exposed for mechanical removal of contents. 



pain ; no appetite ; constipated, feces being hard and 

 glazed; pulse small and quick; lies on right side. Ho- 

 ven usually follows, accompanied by difficult breathing, 

 moaning, grinding teeth, arching back, protruding muz- 

 zle, &c. 



Sometimes the paunch is opened and its contents re- 

 moved by hand, but this operation should be performed 

 by the veterinarian only. (Fig. 107.) 



The rumen is sometimes ruptured in both hoven and 



