SECTION II. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



SEMIOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



The group of diseases which affect the digestive aparatus is one of 

 the most important in bovine pathology, because almost all animals of 

 the bovine species are bred with the object of utilising to the full their 

 powers of digestion and assimilation. 



Whether we consider adult fat animals, calves intended for slaughter 

 or milch cows, the object sought is always the same — i.e., to secure the 

 greatest possible economic return through the medium of the digestive 

 functions. 



Even although in working oxen there is no tendency to overfeeding, 

 the animals remain none the less predisposed to diseases of the digestive 

 apparatus ; the meal-times are often too short, and rumination has to be 

 performed under the yoke or during work — in a word, under unfavourable 

 physiological conditions. 



Semiology. To ensure correct diagnosis it is necessary here, perhaps 

 more than in any other department of pathology, to be capable of grasp- 

 ing the symptoms or syndromes and signs afforded by the different parts 

 of the digestive apparatus ; to know how to co-ordinate and group them 

 so as logically to deduce the final synthesis, the diagnosis. The diagnosis 

 proving correct, the prognosis becomes easy, and this is the chief object 

 from the economic standpoint. The practitioner who undertakes treatment 

 knows how to deal with the case, and the owner likewise knows what he 

 undertakes to do. 



Although this classification may appear arbitrary, we shall consider 

 successively diseases of the mouth, of the pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, 

 intestines, etc., firstly describing the symptoms characterising these 

 diseases. At the same time we should state that many symptoms are 

 common to a large number of diseases and in themselves have absolutely 

 nothing characteristic. They are simply sign-posts capable of showing 

 the way. 



Mouth. External examination reveals the condition of the muzzle, 

 the lips and their commissures, and the surroundings of the buccal 



