252 Dilatation of the Rumen. 



and tlio left flank depression lias been changed into a distension. 

 The rnnien feels donghy, firm or even hard as a stone. The 

 same impression is created hy a rectal exploration of the rnmen ; 

 frequently this method makes the existing conditions much 

 clearer than external palpation (Gebaner). The animals try 

 to avoid firm pressure upon the rumen. At this time percus- 

 sion of the left flank gives a dull and empty sound. The picture 

 changes after the ingestion of a more or less fermentable feed, 

 because then the left depression feels elastic on slight pressure 

 and gives a t^sTupanitic sound on percussion. A firmer pressure, 

 however, usually suffices in these cases to reveal the presence 

 of firm masses of feed under the layer of gas. The movements 

 of the rumen are infrequent, slow and sluggish, or are entirely 

 absent. The same is true as to the rumen sounds. 



Incompleteness or absence of the rumen movements or soumls does in itself 

 not prove that the nuiscularis does not contract, or contracts less energetically. 

 The movements of the rumen can become visible, and the sounds audible only when 

 the contents of the rumen are propelled. 



Defecation at first takes place at normal intervals; later an 

 increasing constipation develops. There may exceptionally be 

 diarrhea in dilatation of the rumen due to juicy feed (leaves of 

 beets, beets). 



Respiration is at first only moderately accelerated and su- 

 perficial; as meteorism develops secondarily, it becomes more 

 and more forced. The pulse beat is influenced in an identical 

 manner. The secretion of the milk in cows becomes much di- 

 minished. 



Occasionally weakness of the hind legs with staggering gait, ina- 

 bility to stand up, and even extension of the paretic weakness to the 

 anterior part of the body or a picture similar to parturient paresis has 

 been seen in cattle and sheep. (Schmidt, Proger, Born). 



Course. The disease may make its appearance either im- 

 mediately after the ingestion of food, or several, up to twelve 

 hours later, and then it slowly reaches its climax, the time elaps- 

 ing after ingestion depending upon the nature of the particular 

 food. After ingestion of easily fermentable feed, development 

 may be as rapid as in acute meteorism. The disease usually 

 terminates in recovery. The very mild cases frequently end 

 in recovery on the first or second day and without any treat- 

 ment whatever. In severe cases, even under the proper diet, 

 the animals may be sick for three to ten days or even longer. 

 Severe cases end only exceptionally in recovery in a short time, 

 namely, when the contents of the rumen are diminished consid- 

 erably in consequence of vomiting. Recovery is indicated by 

 the return of appetite, rumination, and by the visible move- 

 ments of the rumen, frequent belching and abundant defecation. 

 If properly and timely treated, the disease rarely takes a fatal 

 course, nevertheless many fatalities have been observed in 



