Symptoms. 279 



appears suddenly and increases rapidly, great restlessness, 

 spreading- of the "front legs, loud groaning, anxious expression, 

 later on iistlessness, almost complete inability to walk, increase 

 of pulse and respiration, even eclamptiform attacks, sometimes 

 vomitory movements wliicli may cause the expulsion of the 

 obstructing hair or food ball, and may in this way bring about 

 a rapid recovery. Nevertheless, young animals usually succumb 

 in one to two days (Richards saw three to five lambs die daily 

 in a herd of 120). 



The penetration of pointed bodies leads to inflammation 

 of the stomachs (traumatic gastritis and inflammation of 

 the diaphragm) and causes profound gastric disturbances, and 

 in those cases which have not developed slowly, symptoms point- 

 ing to tenderness of the stomachs and of the diaphragm. 



The time interval between the ingestion of the foreign body and 

 the appearance of the gastric disturbances is very variable according 

 to the nature of the foreign body. Two oxen experimentally received 

 some medium sized nails pointed at both ends; they were introduced 

 through the esophageal sound. One animal showed symptoms after 

 twenty-four hours, the other only after four days (Marek). Koppitz 

 inclines to the belief that at least four days elapse on an average between 

 the ingestion of a foreign body and the appearance of the gastric disturb- 

 ances, because tlie foreign body, which is usually introduced into the 

 rumen, Mall pass into the reticu'luni only after this time. If the foreign 

 body is accidentally taken up with mashy or fluid feed, it may get directly 

 into the reticulum and penetrate into its Avail. 



The clinical picture after the ingestion of pointed foreign 

 bodies is initiated by sudden disturbances of digestion without 

 any apparent cause; in spite of preceding perfectly normal 

 condition, the animals will cease to eat and to ruminate. At 

 the same time pain becomes manifest. The animals betray 

 much anxiety in their Avhole behavior, they do not like to move 

 and issue plaintive sounds when lying down, getting up, turning 

 rapidly, or in taking a step. Their gait is careful and 

 stiff, particularly down hill on steep paths, because these con- 

 ditions increase the pressure upon the diaphragm. Pain also 

 increases on elevation of the hind legs (Imminger). In_ some 

 eases colicky symptoms become manifest, such as kicking 

 towards the abdomen, elevation of the feet, switching the 

 tail, etc. Strong pressure upon the region of the ensiform 

 cartilage excites pain which may also be present upon per- 

 cussion and palpation along the insertion of the diaphragm, 

 along the costal arches, but especially towards the ensiform 

 cartilage. 



The respiration is superficial and accelerated, the pulse 

 rapid and tense. The temperature rises if the foreign body 

 penetrates rapidly, otherwise it remains normal. The secretion 

 of milk is suppressed. 



