DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. 217 



gloomy and dejected, and he looks anxiously round at his 

 flanks. There is great weakness, and rapid prostration of 

 strength. The pulse is feeble and fluttering, the respira- 

 tions are short and quick, and there are frequent attempts 

 at vomiting and regurgitation of the solid or fluid contents 

 through the nostrils, and there may be profuse perspiration. 

 In some cases the animal remains quiet for a time after the 

 rupture, while in other instances the pain is intense, and 

 the animal becomes delirious, 



By some vomition is thought to be incompatible with 

 rupture of the stomach, and is considered to be an antece- 

 dent symptom. It is, however, highly probable that 

 vomition can and does occur after rupture of this organ, 

 unless the rent be very extensive. 



Prognosis. — Eupture of the stomach is fatal in the great 

 majority of instances. In some, collapse and death follow 

 in a few hours, while in others, where the rent is not so 

 extensive, life may be prolonged for a couple of days or 

 more. 



Treatment. — Treatment is of no avail. If the diagnosis 

 is clear, it is best to have the animal put out of his 

 agony. 



Section IV. 



DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 



ON SOME IMPORTANT SYMPTOMATIC CONDITIONS 

 AND FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS OF THE IN- 

 TESTINES. 



CONSTIPATION. 



Constipation, or torpid action of the bowels, may depend 

 upon intestinal obstruction, which is treated of below, or 

 upon diminished peristaltic action, or deficient intestinal 

 secretions. The two latter are, in their turn, chiefly due 

 to dietetic errors, though they may depend upon other 



