DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 37 



occur. The animal may lose flesh, is weak, walks stiffly and 

 grunts as though in pain when it moves about in the stall and 

 at each respiration. In the acute form, marked symptoms are 

 sometimes manifested. At first the animal acts drowsy ; later 

 violent nervous symptoms may develop. 



The course of this disease varies from a few days to several 

 weeks. Death frequently occurs. Frequently a diarrlK^a accom- 

 panies recovery, a portion of the fa?ces appearing black with 

 polished surfaces, as though they had been baked. 



The preventive treatment consists in practising the necessary 

 precautions against the development of this disease by avoiding 

 sudden changes in the feed, the feeding of dry, innutritions feeds 

 in too large amounts, allowing animals plenty of water and pro- 

 viding them with salt. The best purgative to give is Glauber's 

 or Epsom salts in from one- to two-jjound doses, dissolved in at 

 least one gallon of water. This physic may be repeated in from 

 twelve to eighteen hours if necessary. Two drachms of tincture 

 of nux vomica and one ounce of alcohol may be given in a drench 

 three times daily. Hypodermic injections of strychnine, eserine, 

 or pilocarpine are useful in the treatment of this disease. When 

 recovery begins, the animal should be allowed moderate exercise 

 and be fed food of a laxative nature. 



Foreign Bodies in the Stomach of Ruminants. — Foreign 

 bodies such as hair balls and wire are very commonly found in 

 the reticulum. This is because of the habits of this class of ani- 

 mals. Cattle eat their feed hastily and do not pick it over as 

 carefully as does the horse. 



Smooth, round objects do no appreciable harm unless they 

 block the opening into the third compartment of the stomach. 

 This frequently occurs in w^ool-eatiug lambs. vSharp-pointed ob- 

 jects may penetrate the surrounding tissues or such organs as the 

 spleen, diaphragm, and pericardial sack. If these organs are 

 injured by the foreign body serious s^^nptoms develop. The 

 general symptoms are pain, fever, weakness and marked emacia- 



