SyiHpt...ns. 269 



val the masticatory movements are sluggish and reduced in 

 number. Belching occurs rarely and it expels fetid gases, be- 

 coming more frequent after more pronounced meteorism. Gag- 

 ging or vomiting is rare ; if the latter does occnr, it expels a thin- 

 ma shy, fetid material. 



The circumference of the abdomen is frequently increased 

 on the left side and below, with bloating of the left flank, 

 which may even become quite prominent ; if, however, there 

 is a continuous lack of appetite, the circumference of the abdo- 

 men may be diminished. The rumen is usually larger, even in 

 deficient digestion of food, sometimes only moderately filled or 

 almost empty; it generally feels hard, rarely fluctuating. The 

 upper part of the rumen is filled with gases, so that the con- 

 sistency of the solid contents of the rumen can only be ascer- 

 tained by strong pressure upon the left flank or by rectal 

 palpation, or in smaller animals by simultaneous palpation on 

 both sides. Bloating of the rumen usually remains within mod- 

 erate limits; it is, however, subject to considerable variations 

 because it increases more or less after the ingestion of feed, 

 diminishing again or even entirely disappearing (chronic me- 

 teorism). Every improvement of the appetite with an increased 

 ingestion of feed promptly leads to an increase of meteorism 

 which may become permanent if the gastric movements cease en- 

 tirely. The movements of the rumen at first are diminished in- 

 considerably in frequency and energy, so that the disturbance 

 may easily be overlooked ; without proper treatment the move- 

 ments of the rumen may cease entirely after a few days. Dis- 

 turbances of the movements of the rumen are subject to similar 

 variations as meteorism ; pressure upon the rumen sometimes 

 elicits pain. 



An increased resistance may, according to Detroye, be felt in the abdominal 

 cavity in obstruction of the omasum if the list suddenly makes firm pressure behind 

 the riglit costal arch; the animals simultaneously emit a dull groan. Hink states 

 that the reticulum is tender to pressure when percusrsion is made over the lower 

 posterior portion of the thorax, or to pressure upon the ensiform cartilage. 



The rumen and intestinal sounds are suppressed, the latter, 

 however, are loud and rumbling before the appearance of di- 

 arrhea. Defecation is less frequent and is finally obstinately 

 suppressed. The feces are peatlike, blackish, their surface shin- 

 ing and they contain poorly digested food particles. Excep- 

 tionally, that is if the disease has been caused by feeding of 

 mashy substances, no disturbances of defecation may be notice- 

 able. Sooner or later constipation yields to malodorous diarrhea 

 which may be permanent or may alternate with constipation. 

 Sometimes mild colics supervene, particularly before diarrhea 

 sets in. 



The temperature remains below 40° C. as long as there are 

 no complications. The pulse is at first normal as to frequency 

 and strength, but becomes rapid and weak later on. The respira- 

 tion is more or less accelerated, particularly if bloating exists, 



