XLIT. 



DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES. 



TYMPANITES. 



Tympanites, or hoven, is a very common affection of cattle, 

 caused by gaseous distention of the rumen or first stomach. The 

 formation of gas is due to the character of the food, but may be 

 due in some cases to functional derangement of the rumen. It 

 occurs from choking and in connection with parturient fever. 

 Frozen roots, or inferior food of any kind, will produce it. 

 Clover is a very frequent cause of tympanites, when the animal 

 is turned on the pasture while dew is on the grass or it is wet 

 from rain. Feeding on kitchen refuse, slojis, etc., is the most 

 common cause in town cows. 



Symptoms. — The animal shows an uneasiness, shifting from 

 one set of limbs to another. The left flank is distended, and 

 there may be eructations of grass. ' The animal grunts; saliva 

 flows from the mouth. As the distention increases, the breath- 

 ing is seriously interfered with; the animal persistently stands, 

 and the tongue protrudes from the mouth. The animal falls, 

 and, if not immediately relieved, will die in a few minutes. 

 Death may result from rupture of the diaphragm or rumen, but 

 usually results from asphyxia. 



Treatment. — This should be undertaken at once. Oil of tur- 

 pentine, three ounces; linseed oil, one pint, should be given in a 

 drench, and followed by a pound of magnesia sulphate. Car- 

 bonate of ammonia, one-half ounce to one ounce, is good. Chlori- 

 nated lime, potassium chlorate, and carbonate of soda are excel- 

 lent remedies. If .seriously swollen and it becomes evident that 

 death will take place before medicines can act, the animal should 

 be tapped at the most distended part with the troear. The 



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