IN TEST IN A L T YMPA N Y 



^75 



this, all the usual symptoms of ' colic ' are well in 

 evidence. The animal walks round and round, paws 

 alternately with the fore-feet, and makes frantic kicks at 

 the belly with the hind. 



In a mild case the tympany is plainly most noticeable 

 in the right flank. When, how^ever, the abdominal 

 enlargement is great, it is difficult indeed to fix it in any 

 particular position. When distension is extreme, rolling 

 is not freely indulged in, and the animal lies down only 

 with great care. Other manifestations show the pain to 

 be extreme. The breathing is tremendously accelerated, 

 coming and going in short, fitful gusts, broken every 

 now and again by a short-drawn sigh. The nostrils are 

 dilated, the pulse small, weak, and greatly quickened, 

 and the visible mucous membranes highly injected. 

 The temperature is commonly raised about 2° F. The 

 ears and extremities grow deathly cold. Patchy per- 

 spirations cover the neck, the shoulders, and the flanks, 

 and the whole condition indicates a case of the utmost 

 gravity. It is plain to even the most ignorant that 

 unless the animal be given speedy relief he will soon 

 succumb. Even now the accumulated gases are pressing 

 heavily on the diaphragm, and seriously impeding the 

 acts of respiration. The consequent deoxygenated and 

 gas-poisoned state of the blood renders the bodily 

 tone bad indeed, and points to no sign of spontaneous 

 recovery on the part of the animal economy itself. 



Diagnosis. — This is simple. The abdominal enlarge- 

 ment and the evidence it yields on percussion sufficiently 

 point out the nature and seat of the trouble. It must be 

 remembered, however, that tympany, when restricted 

 solely to the stomach, will also give rise to apparent 

 intestinal distension — the abdomen in both cases is 

 swollen. Nevertheless, its true nature is quickly ascer- 



