34 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



Subnitrate of bismuth in doses of 1 to 2 drams may be given. Pul- 

 verized opium may be used, if the diarrhea is severe, in 1 to 2 dram 

 doses. If the bowel movements are not free, one may give from a 

 pint to a quart of castor or raw linseed oil. 



TRAUMATIC INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. 



This disease results from the presence of a foreign body. This 

 condition is not rare in cattle, because these animals have the habit of 

 swallowing their feed without careful chewing, and so nails, screws, 

 hairpins, ends of wire, and other metal objects may be swallowed 

 unconsciously. Such objects gravitate to the second stomach, where 

 they may be caught in the folds of the lining mucous membrane, 

 and in some instances the wall of this organ is perforated. From this 

 accident, chronic indigestion results. The symptoms, more or less 

 characteristic, are pain when getting up or lying down ; grunting and 

 pain upon sudden motion, especially downhill; coughing; pain on 

 pressure over the second stomach, which lies immediately above the 

 cartilaginous prolongation of the sternum. If the presence of such a 

 foreign body is recognized, it may be removed by a difficult surgical 

 operation, or, as is usually most economical, the animal may be killed 

 for beef, if there is no fever. 



DISEASES OF THE BOWELS. 



DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY. 



[See also Gastrointestinal catarrh, p. 32.] 



The word " dysentery," as it is commonly used in relation to the 

 diseases of animals, signifies a severe form of diarrhea. 



Causes. — Diarrhea is a symptom of irritation of the intestines, 

 resulting in increased secretion or increased muscular contractions, 

 or both. The irritation is sometimes the result of chiUing from 

 exposure, improper feeding, irritant feeds, indigestion, organic dis- 

 eases of the intestines, or parasites. 



Symptoms. — Passages from the bowels are frequent, at first con- 

 sisting of thin dung, but as the disease continues they become watery 

 and offensive smelling, and may be even streaked with blood. At 

 first the animal shows no constitutional disturbance, but later it 

 becomes weak and may exhibit evidence of abdominal pain by look- 

 ing around to the side, drawing the feet together, lying down, or 

 moving restlessly. Sometimes this malady is accompanied with 

 fever, great depression, loss of strength, rapid loss of flesh, and it 

 may terminate in death. 



Treatment. — V\^\q\\ the disease depends on irritating properties of 

 the feed which has been supplied to the animal, it is advisable to give 

 a mild purgative, such as a pint of castor or linseed oil. Wlien the 



