358 Bloating of the Intestines. 



Hence we observe in botulism symmetric motor paralysis, particu- 

 larly in the region of the cerebral nerves (paralj^sis of accommodation, 

 mydriasis, ptosis, aphonia, dysphagia), while gastro-intestinal disturb- 

 ances are not infrequently absent or are only very insignificant. There 

 is, however, obstinate constipation and suppression of urine. 



The toxin of bacillus botulinus is not very resistant towards various reagents 

 such as particularly alkalies; it is made innocuous when heated to 80° 0. for one 

 half hour. 



Botulism is, therefore, an intoxication, while genuine meat poison- 

 ing is produced originally by pathogenic ])acteria or by such that have 

 become pathogenic ; however the toxins of these bacteria, and ptomainesn 

 which have been formed, do likewise play a role in the disease-producing I 

 process. ' 



Literature. Gutzeit, Fortschr, d. Vet. Hyg. 1906, III, 12.5 (Lit.) t. Emmer- 

 gem, Hb. d. p. M., 1903, II, 6.37 (Lit.).— Miiller, D. t. W., 1909, .377.— Fhlenhuth & 

 V. Leuthold, Gedenkschrift, 1906.- — Wiemann, Die Parakolibazillosis d. Kalber and 

 ihre Beziehungen zu d. Fleischvergift, usw.. Diss. Bern, 1909 (Lit.). — Zschokke & 

 Feuereissen, D. t. W., 1909, 105. 



19. Bloating of the Intestines. Meteorismus Intestinalis. 



{Darmaufhldlmng , Windkolik [German] ; Colica flatulenta; In- 

 digestion intestinale gazeuse [French].) 



Bloating of the intestines or meteorism consists in an exces- 

 sive dilatation of the intestines in consequence of the rapid 

 formation of gas. 



Occurrence. The prevalence of primary meteorism is in- 

 timately connected with the methods and conditions of feeding 

 the animals. These conditions vary a good deal in different 

 countries and parts of countries, hence the affection is not uni- 

 formly prevalent every^vhere. In the Budapest Clinic it repre- 

 sents 12 to 15% of the colicky affections of horses; the lower 

 percentages, however, are observed only rarely. Occasionally 

 the affection occurs in hogs, dogs and rabbits. In ruminants the 

 same causes lead to bloating of the rumen. 



Etiology. Primary bloating of the intestines is due to the 

 ingestion of bloating feed. Particularly dangerous are in this 

 respect withered or heated fresh green feed (clover, alfalfa, 

 esparsette, fresh grass), also beets and potatoes, rarely seeds 

 of leguminoscT, more frequently crushed corn or liarley. Mouldy 

 feed may likewise be dangerous (Hendrick) . Bloating in rabbits 

 is not infrequently caused by fresh cabbage, kale, beets, raps, 

 vetches, buckwheat. The ingestion of water in large amounts 

 increases the danger from these foods materially, particularly 

 leguminosae and crushed grains may do harm under these con- 

 ditions. Sometimes an unobjectionable feed, like oats and hay 

 may cause bloating in horses if these animals feed greedily and 



