34 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



HAIR CONCRETIONS. 



These concretions or hair-balls are produced by animals licking 

 themselves, or by their licking other animals. As a result of this habit 

 the hairs which are swallowed are carried round by the contractions of 

 the stomach and gradually assume the form of a small pellet or ball. 

 These increase in size as fresh quantities of hair are introduced into the 

 stomach, which become adherent to the surface of the hair-ball. These 

 hair-balls are found most frequently in the reticulum or second stom- 

 ach (Plate n), though sometimes in the rumen. In calves hair-balls 

 are generally found in the fourth stomach. There are no certain symp- 

 toms by which we can determine the presence of hair-balls in the 

 stomach, and therefore no treatment can be recommended for such 

 cases. In making post-mortem examinations of cattle we have some- 

 times found the walls of the reticulum transfixed with nails or pieces 

 of wire, and yet the animal during life had not shown any symptoms 

 of indigestion, but had died from maladies not involving the second 

 stomach. 



INDIGESTION OF THE THIRD STOMACH GRASS STAGGERS DRY MUR- 

 RAIN WOOD-EVIL,. 



The various names which have been applied to this disease indicate 

 that those who have written concerning it arc by no means agreed as 

 to its nature and cause. Among systematic writers, however, there 

 seems to be a general agreement that the seat of the disease is in the 

 third stomach, as they have followed one another faithfully in describ- 

 ing that part as the sole seat of trouble. We think it more correct to 

 regard this as a general disorder of the tligestive organs, and that the 

 third stomach merely participates in the disordered functions of the 

 other stomachs. 



Catties. Want of exercise predisposes to this disease, or food which 

 is coarse and indigestible may after a time produce this condition. 

 Food which possesses astringent properties and tends to check secre- 

 tion may also act as an exciting cause. Food in excessive quantity 

 may also lead to disorder of digestion and to this disease. It is very 

 likely to appear towards the end of protracted seasons of drought, 

 therefore a deficiency of water must be regarded as one of the condi- 

 tions which favor its development. However, we think it best to state 

 that the causation of this disease is not at present completely under- 

 stood, and that cases may sometimes occur in which the explanations 

 offered as to their cause are mere conjecture. 



Symptoms. Diminished appetite, rumination irregular, tongue coated, 

 month slimy, dung passed apparently not well digested and smelling 

 badly, dullness and fullness of the flanks. It is also frequently stated 

 that on pressing the fist below the short ribs on the right side the 

 third stomach will be found as a hard sort of mass in that situation. 



