550 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK yi. 



instances the brain gives evidence of derangement when it is described 

 as " vertigo " or " staggers." 



Irapaction of the omasum is mostly seen in cattle which are living 

 largely or exclusively on coarse, dry, and indigestible food, and 

 especially where the herd is insufficiently supplied with water. The 

 old dry herbage left for autumn feed will sometimes induce the 

 disorder. This is often found to be the case where, as in parks, it 

 becomes mixed with the fallen leaves of trees, the husks and fruits of 

 the oak and beech, and other vegetable matters containing astringent 

 or binding principles. Animals consuming large quantities of straw 

 with an insufficient supply of roots and water not infrequently suffer 

 from impaction of this part of the stomach. It is also seen as a 

 complication of other ailments, as lead poisoning and the specific 

 fevers. 



Symptoms. The symptoms exhibited in this disorder are not so 

 diagnostic as in those last considered. The bowels are constipated and 

 the fseces coated with a slimy mucus ; food is refused and rumination 

 ceases. There is a dull pained expression of the face with lowering head. 

 The pulse is hard and frequent, and the animal obstinately stands with 

 no disposition to move, or lies with its head extended on the ground. 

 Grunting, and grinding the teeth, with an occasional glance towards the 

 side, indicate the existence of pain in the abdomen. It' relief is not soon 

 afforded the brain may suffer disturbance, when the eyes stare, sight is 

 impaired, and the gait is unsteady and rolling, or the patient may 

 exhibit symptoms of frenzy. 



Treatment. Here the constipation of the bowels must be overcome 

 by bold cathartics, such as have already been prescribed in impaction 

 of the rumen. Some practitioners prefer castor oil to Epsom salts in 

 this disease, but it matters little which is selected so long as it is 

 properly administered. When suffering is considerable, an application 

 of mustard or blistering oil may be made over the right side and under 

 surface of the belly. Enemas of warm water should be administered 

 three or four times during the day, and plenty of thin gruel horned into 

 the patient from time to time. 



If the brain gives evidence of disturbance, cold water applied to 

 the head by means of a syringe will prove beneficial, and it may be 

 necessary to abstract blood from the jugular vein. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE TONGUE, OB GLOSSITIS. The tongue of the 

 ox is liable to become the seat of inflammation which may assume 

 either an acute or chronic character. Cattle are much more subject to 

 this form of disease than horses, and the reason may probably be found 

 in the fact that in the former the tongue is employed as an organ of 

 prehension and is therefore more exposed to injury than in the latter. 



Inflammation of the tongue may arise from mechanical injury, or 

 chemical irritation, or result from the stings of wasps or other insects. 

 Rough coarse food and cold frosted grass are said to have the effect 

 of causing inflammatory irritation of this organ. In foot and mouth 

 disease it is also present to a greater or less extent, and, in that 



