ACUTE INDIGESTION IN CATTLE. 389 



existing between various parts, and the present is a promi- 

 nent instance of the kind ; for in every case of stomach 

 affection the skin is found to sympathize ; and these states 

 are therefore always accompanied with staring hair, dry, 

 and but Httle unctuous : it also presents that inelasticity of 

 cuticle termed hide-bound. The horse continues to eat 

 without appetite, or with one irregular in its desires ; and 

 what is taken in is frequently passed away in the state in 

 wdiich it was swallowed, viz. undigested. 



Causes. — In spring and autumn, when a renewal of hair 

 takes place, the sympathy between the skin and stomach 

 produces the phenomena of weakness so usually observed, 

 viz. faintness, perspiration, and irregular appetite. It is 

 sometimes occasioned by the presence of worms, when the 

 number is great : more often, however, it may be attributed 

 to improper food, as musty hay and corn ; or to injudicious 

 lodging, as unventilated or over-heated stables ; or improper 

 management, as too great a quantity of clothing, the inju- 

 dicious use of spicy stimulants, &c. &c. 



Cure. — Its removal must, in a great measure, depend on 

 becoming acquainted with its cause. In spring, feed suc- 

 culently ; and in autumn, feed liberally ; while, in both 

 cases, encourage that particular growth of hair which the 

 season requires. 



ACUTE INDIGESTION IN CATTLE, CALLED HOVE, OR BLOWN. 



When cattle have become fatigued by driving or by long 

 fasting, and suddenly find themselves with plenty of food 

 before them, particularly of such as requires little mastica- 

 tion, as chaff, bran, grains, &c. &c. ; and also at all times 

 when they meet with food they have long been deprived of, 

 as various artificial gi'asses, particularly red clover, they 

 are apt to eat greedily, and omit to stop for the purposes 

 of rumination ; by which means the rumen or paunch be- 

 comes so distended as to be incapable of expelling its con- 

 ents. From this, fermentation begins to take place, and a 

 argequantity of gas escapes, which increases the distention, 

 until the stomach, by its pressure on the diaphragm, suffo- 

 cates the animal. 



The symptoms are uneasiness and distress, with quickened 

 respiration ; sometimes there is a degree of phrensy pre- 



