376 Impaction in the Intestines of Ruminants. 



tiva viennensis (50.0-100.0 gm.), occasionally with the addition 

 of sodium and potassium tartrate (5-10 gm.), extractum cas- 

 carsd sagradae (2-10 gm.), phenolphthalein (10 gm. for large, 5 

 gm. for small dogs). The neutral salts (see page 332) may like- 

 wise be used, and in very obstinate cases drastics may be em- 

 ployed (1-5 drops of croton oil in 10-30 gm. of castor oil) ; also 

 tubera jalapae (0.2-0.4 gm.). Drastics must be reserved for those 

 cases where no inflammation of the intesti.ial wall is present 

 and where fragments of bone or other hard bodies have not 

 penetrated into the wall of the gut. 



Where accumulation of feces is due to a tumor, an abscess, 

 an enlarged prostate, a cicatric, surgical interference is neces- 

 sary. 



The diet must be regulated so that the patients do not re- 

 ceive any food containing flour (bread, dog biscuits, pota- 

 toes, vegetables) or bones, but exclusively fluid food, such as 

 broth, soup, milk. Animals which are predisposed to obstipa- 

 tion should receive as little of carbohydrates as possible, and 

 they should be exercised frequently. 



In order to prevent obstipation due to swallowed hair in eats, Gro- 

 bon recommends (Rev. vet. 1906, 21) to brush the animals daily and to 

 administer castor oil twice a month. 



(c) Impaction in the Intestines of Ruminants. 



Occurrence. Double mastication, preliminary preparation 

 and mixing with abundant fluid in the fore-stomachs of rumi- 

 nants make primary fecal impaction of rare occurrence in these 

 animals. The disease has been seen in cattle and in goats. 



Etiology. The occurrence of primary impaction in rumi- 

 nants generally depends upon continuous feeding with undi- 

 gestible, dry feed (leaves or matted hay). Moist mouldy straw, 

 withered dry and rotten cabbage may also be the cause of the 

 disease. Mathis saw grave cases of fecal impaction in cattle 

 after long railroad transportation. 



Symptoms. The disease is manifested by obstinate consti- 

 pation, by moderate bloating after each meal, however without 

 the accumulation of feed masses in the rumen, gradual decrease 

 of appetite and retardation of rumination. Signs of restlessness 

 are either lacking or are very insignificant. The feces are dry 

 like peat, sometimes covered with a good deal of mucus and are 

 voided in small amounts in spite of efforts. The intestinal 

 sounds are absent or weak. Rectal exploration reveals, in the 

 region of the right flank, sausage-like loops of intestines filled 

 with firm feces ; in small ruminants the desiccated feces may be 

 felt through the abdominal wall. 



