119 



through the canula by a small enema syringe. Choking with potatoes, 

 turnips, &c., also causes the stomach to be distended with gas. 

 (See par. 241.) When the animal picks up foreign bodies, such as 

 stones, bones, leather, wood, &c., or has tumours, abscesses, or hair 

 balls in its stomach, there are periodical or intermittent distensions 

 about every five or six hours. These are very difficult to treat. 

 Tablespoonful doses of chloride of lime, in milk, or two ounces hypo- 

 sulphite of soda, in water, at times gives relief in such cases. 

 Sometimes the stomach becomes blown up from rupture, stricture, or 

 dilatation of the gullet, or from a rent in the rumen. In these cases, 

 the sooner professional advice is got, the better for the animal, and 

 the owner as well. 



297. Impaction of the Rumen. — Plenalvia. — Grain Sickness. — This 

 derangement occurs in stall-fed animals, more particularly, if they have 

 had an excess of dry food, such as meals (of doubtful quality), or frosted 

 turnips. The walls of the stomach become paralysed, and their 

 actions are suspended. Sometimes there is gas present, and the left 

 side of the animal is seen to be distended. Symptoms : On pressing 

 the fingers into the flank, between the last rib and haunch-bone, the 

 stomach is felt to be full and hard, and at times slightly " drummy." 

 The animal stands perfectly still, emitting a peculiar " grank,'' or 

 ''grunt." The head is extended, nose slightly lowered, and back 

 arched, while there is a thoughtful expression on the face. The pulse 

 may, or may not, be disturbed, but I have never seen any indication 

 of colicky pains, as described by some. The appetite is entirely gone, 

 and rumination is suspended ; while in the milch cow, the secretion is 

 stopped. There is generally slight diarrhoea at the onset, but this soon 

 stops, and then no faeces are passed for some days. Treatment : If gas 

 is present, one pint of linseed oil and two ounces of turpentine should 

 be given first, followed up in an hour or so by 10 to 16 ounces of 

 Epsom salts, along with two ounces each of powdered ginger and 

 sweet peppers, or other aromatics. These should be given in a quart 

 of thin gruel, mixed with another pint of oil. Owing to the distension, 

 the walls of the stomach become paralysed, and are unable to perform 

 their function ; the derangement often being further aggravated by the 



