314 CATTLE. 



actino- on the food contained betsveen them, and which,, supported by 

 the irregularities of the cuticular coat, and imprisoned tliere in a 

 somewhat pultaceous form, wuU gradually become putrid and offensive. 



The animal may be fed on too dry and fibrous matter, or he may 

 lazily and but half perform the process of rumination ; in consequence 

 of tliis, the hard parts of the food may accumulate in the manyplus 

 more rapidly than they can be ground down, and so the stomach 

 may become clogged and its function suspended. Whatever the 

 cause, this state of contraction or inaction of the manyplus often 

 occurs, and either aggravates the pre-existing malady, or becomes a 

 new source of disease, and hastens or causes the death of the animal. 



When this stomach has been spasmodically contracted, or long and 

 forcibly distended, the imprisoned food presents a very curious 

 appearance. There is an indentation of the papillae on the surface of 

 the detained mass. All this force must have produced inflammation 

 of the part ; and that intense inflammation does occasionally exist in 

 the manyplus, sufficient to produce great and general derangement 

 and even to destroy the beast, is evident by the easy separation of 

 the cuticular coat. In many cases, or perhaps in the majority of 

 them, it is impossible to remove the detained mass from its situation 

 without a portion of the cuticular coat accompanying and covering it. 

 Even this hardened state of the contents of the manyplus is not 

 always a proof of general disease. It is an unnatural and morbid 

 state of the stomach ; but very considerable local disease may exist in 

 this organ, without materially, or in any appreciable degree, inter- 

 fering with general health and good condition. The fardel-bag ha.s- 

 been found choked wnth food, and that dry and black, and roasted 

 and yet the beast had apparently been in perfect health. 



The author of this treatise has seen the loss of function confined 

 to one part only of this stomach. Between some of the leaves, or oi 

 one side or curvature of the manyplus, the contents have been greet 

 and fluid ; in the other portion of it they have been perfectly baked 

 It is a wise and kind provision of nature, that the general health and 

 thriving of the animal shall in various cases be so little impaired b} 

 local, although serious, disease. Many a trifling circumstance, never 

 theless, may cause this local evil to spread rapidly and widely ; and 

 even without any additional excitement, the mere continuance of suet 

 a disease, accompanied by such derangement of function, can scarcel} 

 fail of being attended by injurious consequences. 



This state of the manyplus is one of the most serious species of 

 indigestion to Avhich these animals are subject, and deserves the atten- 

 tive consideration of the practitioner. There are, nevertheless, many 

 difficulties accompanying the study of this important' subject. 



The clue or fardel-bortnff, names by which the retention of the food 

 in the manifolds is distinguished, may be occasionally produced by 

 the animal feeding on too stimulating plants, cr on those which are 



