678 SPOKADIC DISEASES. 



nutritious, containing, according to Sir H. Davy, 955 parts of 

 nutritious matter in 1000, is found to be improper, deranging 

 the stomach, causing purgation, laminitis, and death. Barley 

 again has a similar effect, and for these reasons is found to be 

 an improper article of diet. 



When, however, from various circumstances, such as damaged 

 crops, it becomes compulsory to cook the food, it is necessary 

 that it be given with the greatest caution, in small quantities, 

 and at intervals. Bran again, so useful an article when com- 

 bined with other foods, or as an occasional mash, if given in 

 large quantities, is retained undigested, and induces a condition 

 of repletion which often proves fatal. Some kinds of hay, 

 musty or otherwise damaged, or too ripe previous to being cut, 

 barley and foreign straw, are also common causes of impaction ; 

 whilst green foods, particularly when animals are first put upon 

 them, or if given too abundantly, not only induce engorgement, 

 but also undergo fermentation in the stomach, and thus induce 

 tympanitis. 



In horned cattle and sheep the same conditions are produced, 

 most cdmmonly by damp grasses, turnip-tops, maltcums, clovers, 

 &c. ; indeed it may be stated that various foods, if given over- 

 abundantly, will cause tympanitis, but none so speedily as green 

 clover. 



In horded cattle, tympanites — hoven or blown — arising from 

 retention of food in the rumen, frequently accompanies other 

 diseases. It is wonderful how great a quantity of food is found 

 in the rumen of an animal which has died from a disease which 

 has existed for several days or even weeks. In many instances, 

 where an animal suffering from pleuro-pneumonia has not 

 partaken of any solid food for a period extending perhaps over a 

 fortnight, it has been found that the rumen contains several 

 bucketfuls of alimentary matters. The rumination having been 

 suspended, there has been no true digestion, and the food 

 partaken of prior to the occurrence of the illness has lain, as it 

 were, in a mass in the inert and paralyzed rumen, having a 

 tendency to undergo fermentation, and thus induce tympanitis. 



An additional cause of retention in the rumen is found in 

 disease of the salivary glands. Fluorens asserted that from 

 the period of feeding to that of rumination there is a constant 

 abundant secretion of saliva, which is constantly swallowed ; if 



