DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 501 



a rule, the malady occurs in sheep when, having heen previously 

 fed on soft and succulent food, they are transferred to that which 

 is harder and drier; or, on the contrary, though this is not so 

 frequently the case, when there has been a converse change in 

 the dietary — for example, if they have heen removed from a dry 

 and bare pasture to soft and succulent grass. Indeed, so great 

 is the risk resulting from sudden changes in the food-supply, 

 that it has been observed that sheep invariably do best on farms 



Fig. 65. — Impaction of the Omasum. 



The^above illustration depicts the appearance presented by an ox suffering 

 from impaction of the omasum. The head is seen to be held low, and the ears 

 hang down pendulously; the breathing is difficult owing to pressure on the 

 diaphragm, the tip of the tongue protrudes out of the mouth, the eyes are 

 staring and bloodshot, the animal grunts and moans, and grinds the teeth. 

 Pains are felt in the abdomen, and the nose is often carried to the flanks, most 

 frequently to the right flank. The hind legs are often moved, the tail is lashed 

 from side to side, the rumen is frequently tympanitic, the eyesight is impaired, 

 and the eyes may be touched with the finger without pain being manifested or 

 the lids being closed. The animal staggers, rolls on its side, and lies there with 

 rigid limbs, is convulsed, and dies. If the beast be in the field, it runs about 

 wildly, and may perhaps be found with its back downwards in a ditch in a 

 helpless condition. If it be removed from the ditch, the animal may be found 

 dead, or else suffering from irreparable damage to the spine in consequence of 

 its violent convulsive struggles. (After Annatage.') 



whereon the soil differs but little, for it is the rapid changes 

 "Tyhich are especially dangerous. 



When troubled with this disorder, the patient frequently voids 

 small quantities of hard, glazed feces, and afterwards is severely 

 constipated. The animal stands persistently, it has a hard 

 and frequent pulse, and suffers acute abdominal pain, which is 

 manifested by an occasional grunt or groan. As in the case of 

 stomach-staggers in the horse, the brain often becomes affected, 

 muscular tremors over the surface of the body are to be seen, 

 the eyes become insensible to light and assume a staring 



