Diseases of the Fore-Stomachs of Ruminants. 249 



Aromatic medicines may also do well (such as camomile 

 tea), also ether, ether with alcohol, camphor, chemicals de- 

 veloping CO2 (bicarbonate of sodium). Valuable dogs may also 

 receive champagne. 



Vomiting of horses should always be treated by removing 

 parts of the gastric contents with the stomach tube (see acute 

 dilatation of the stomach). 



Literature. Braim, Kaninehenkrkh., 1907, 27.— Breuer, Koezl, 1897, IF, 267.— 

 Ellenberger, Kochs Enzyklop., 1894, XI, 1.— Forssell, Z. f. W., 1907, 600.— Sequens. 

 Vet., 1891, 388.— Zschokke, Schw. A., 1901, XLIII, 18. 



2. Diseases of the Fore-stomachs of Ruminants. (Rumen 

 reticulum and omasum.) 



To carry out a general classification of tlie diseases of the stomach 

 of ruminants, which would meet all re({uirements, appears impossible at 

 the present stage of our knowledge. The anatomical relations and 

 still more the functional interrelations between the different parts of 

 the stomach are the cause of the three first sections of the organ in rumi- 

 nants becoming affected by errors of diet. An immediate effect of im- 

 proper diet upon the abomasum is often prevented by the rumen. How- 

 ever, diseases of the rumen which have existed for any length of time 

 will, for reasons easily understood, also cause a secondary affection of 

 the abomasum. Primary disease of the abomasum also affects the rumen, 

 at least to a certain degree. 



The strong development and the superficial cornification of the 

 epithelial covering of the rumen, taken in connection with the absence 

 of glands, explain satisfactorily why we here see much more fre(iuently 

 purely functional disturbances as to moving, mixing, softening and 

 fermentation of the ingested food, than in diseases with morbid changes 

 of tissues ; these peculiarities must be considered in the classification of 

 gastric diseases. 



We will in the following chapters attempt a classification of gastric 

 diseases in ruminants, based upon various existing conditions, and upon 

 the requirements of the practitioner. 



(a) Dilatation of the Rumen. Dilatatio acuta ruminis ab alimentis. 



{Acute Indigestion, Acute Dyspepsia [Dieckerhoff], Dyspepsie 



[Harms], Idiopathic paresis of the paunch [Eber], 



Pansenserstopfung, [German] ; Indigestion du 



remen avec surcharge [French], Em- 



pansement [French].) 



We designate as dilatation of the rumen, the filling and 

 dilatation of the first section of the stomach of ruminants by an 

 excessive amount of food or by dry and heavy feed Avhich wdll 

 diminish or abolish entirely the erstwhile intensified contraction 

 of the rumen. 



Occurrence. Dilatation of the rumen is one of the more 

 common diseases of ruminants, especially of cattle. Stable-fed 



