DISEASES OP THE OX AND SHEEP. 483 



containiDg too much water, or on grass or clover upon which 

 rain or dew has been deposited (Arraatage). 



When sheep or oxen are placed upon very luxuriant spring 

 grass, the complaint is very apt to break out. Sheep, when 

 removed from a thin pasture to a richer one, as, for instance, of 

 clovers, acrid plants, and so forth, or those which are being fed 

 •upon frosted roots or root-tops, or a superabundance of mangolds 

 at an early date in the season, are especially liable to attacks of 

 this malady. In order to lessen the suddenness of a change 

 from a small allowance of food to an abundant supply, as, for 

 instance, when hungry animals are taken to rich food, at first 

 they should only be allowed a run of an hour or two at a time, 

 until they are accustomed to their new aliment. Especially is 

 danger to be feared from rich grass which is wet with dew or 

 rain. Even good sound food may bring on an attack of hoven, 

 in case animals which have fasted for a long time are supplied 

 with a large amount of it. Moreover, it is important to remem- 

 ber that if an animal has once been attacked with this disorder, 

 it will easily fall down again with it, provided that a slight cause 

 should be in operation. Again, animals which are kept upon dry 

 food frequently become very thirsty, drink eagerly of cold spring 

 water, and so go down with hoven. It is necessary to exercise 

 very great care in regard to the regulation of the food and the 

 water supplied to hungry a,nimals. 



It has been noticed that this disease is common when the 

 glands which secrete the saliva are diseased, and that when 

 cattle, poorly kept on water or hard food, are first put upon grass 

 or clover, they are especially liable to become hoven or blown. 

 The disease is common also in cases where the third stomach, or 

 manyfold, is obstructed, and when there is any afiection of the 

 second stomach or reticulum. 



Hoven is easily recognised by the swelling on the left side. 

 This makes its appearance while the animal is partaking of its 

 food or soon afterwards. The symptoms are rapid, as a rule, in 

 their appearance. The first stomach which, as we all know, is 

 called the rumen or paunch, becomes greatly distended with gas, 

 and consequently extreme pain is experienced. The whole body 

 is enlarged, especially on the left side, which, when tapped, gives 

 forth a hollow sound, and also rebounds when pressed upon. 

 The rumen presses on the diaphragm, and consequently the 



31 * 



