ACUTE INDIGESTION. 385 



bread ; this is done to a great extent in cities, and may 

 result in gastro-enteritis. 



Siimptoms. — The animal, having had a large quantity of 

 food, is started on a journey. After going a few miles he 

 becomes somewhat dull and sluggish in his movements. 

 Soon he shows a slight uneasiness — cringes and turns his 

 head to one side, and seems to be in slight pain, but he is 

 whipped up, and the symptoms disappear for a while. How- 

 ever, they soon return, swelling of the abdomen becomes 

 apparent, the animal's pain increases, and perhaps the 

 journey's end is reached with great diflBculty. On being 

 set at liberty he begins to toss about, rolls from side to 

 side and endeavours to balance on his back. AYhen 

 lying dov/n he occasionally raises his head, and looks wist- 

 fully towards his flank. As a rule, the abdomen is greatly 

 distended, and there are eructations of gas, and often an 

 escape of gas per anus. The eructations of gas show 

 that the stomach is distended, and may be regarded as 

 a good sign, inasmuch as the escape of gas by any outlet 

 gives great relief Eegurgitation of food may also be 

 noticed as another symptom, but one which is not always 

 present. In some cases sweats bedew the body ; there 

 may be slight diarrhoea; the rectum protrudes, and is 

 irritable ; he rolls and tumbles about in a violent manner. 

 When the anus is reddened and protruding, it should be 

 regarded as a very bad symptom. The pulse at first is full, 

 but gradually becomes weak and quick. In the early stages 

 the mouth is hot, then becomes cold and clammy ; the 

 limbs lose their natural heat and become cold; the eyes 

 take on an amaurotic stare ; cold sweats break out ; the 

 animal walks about in a semi-unconscious condition, oc- 

 casionally staggering or reeling slightly, may fall back upon 

 his haunches, and finally falls to the ground, makes a few 



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