296 Diseases of Cattle. 



After this he kept the animal quiet, and did not disturb its 

 bowels with any medicine for three or four days, when, if 

 the constipation continued, the last prescription was repeated. 

 He found it very seldom necessary to do this. 



A peculiar form of impaction of the third stomach is of fre- 

 quent occurrence in the corn producing districts of the United 

 States, where at times it has severely devastated the herds. 

 This disorder formed the subject of a special report to the De- 

 partment of Agriculture by Prof. Gamgee, published in 

 1871. He found that it was owing to the cattle eating quan- 

 tities of smutty or ergoted corn, and the disease is conse- 

 quently most frequent after wet seasons. 



The cattle are constipated. The animal lies down, has an 

 unthrifty coat, dry muzzle, dull eye, trembles easily, perhaps 

 shivers, or seems delirious. One of two conditions predomi- 

 nate ; one of stupor, staggering and sluggishness ; or else of 

 excitement, wildness and apparent blindness. The animal 

 dies speedily, in from one to four days. At death the third 

 stomach is always found firm, distended, and the food caked 

 between the folds, while the fourth stomach contains but a 

 scant quantity of greenish, half digested matter. 



Almost all animals die unless relieved ; but fortunately it 

 is not difficult to treat them so successfully that the danger 

 can be averted. At first a purgative must be administered. 

 "The one Prof. Gamgee recommends is : — 



No. 332. Sulphate of magnesia, 1 lb. 



Powdered aloes, 4 drachms. 



Powdered ginger, 2 drachms. 



Water, 1 quart. 



Give in warm linseed tea, oat meal gruel or water. 



Warm water injections are of the highest importance, and 

 they can be given in such cases most advantageously by the 

 funnel described on page 43. About a quart or two of 

 lukewarm water, without any addition but a little sweet 



