462 



THE STOCK OWA'EK S ADVISEE. 



IMPACTION OF THE RUMEN.) 



This is caused hj an excessive quantity of food in the rumen. 

 It may come on gradually, giving rise to no well-marked symp- 

 toms for several days. On tapping the distended part with the 

 fingers, it reveals a dough-like feeling. The stomach pits on 

 pressure, indicating a paralyzed condition of the coats of the 

 rumen. If the patient be a milk cow, she will show a falling off 



in the quantity of milk. 

 The muzzle becomes dry 

 and ho t, respiration 

 quickened, and there 

 will be a flow of saliva 

 from the mouth. The 

 rumen may become ex- 

 tremely distended, caus- 

 ing regurgitation of 

 food. When the coat 

 of the rumen is para- 

 lyzed, the operation of 

 rumenotomy should be 

 performed. It is per- 

 formed by making an 

 incision midway between 

 the last rib and the 

 to five inches from the 

 of the lumbar vertebrae. 



Fig. loo— Impaction of the Kuiiieu. 



spine of the ilium, and from four 

 points of the transverse processes 

 The incision should be made downwards and long enough to 

 admit the hand. A handkerchief may be inserted in the wound 

 in order to prevent the food falling into the peritoneal cavity. 

 AVhen this has been done, the food should be taken out with the 

 hand, the parts 'ihen thoroughly cleaned, the incision in the 

 stomach to be first stitched up with oatgut sutures, the edges 

 turned in, so as to get the peritoneal coat into position. The 

 external coat may then be closed with strong silk or waxed twine 



