IMPACTION OF THE OMASUM. 333 



may be that we are better educated; thereby can more 

 readily discern the true conditions of diseases, than those 

 of former times or, it may be from both causes com- 

 bined, that we are able to state that we see such a 

 change in diseases. However, the majority of. diseases, 

 now met with, are of a low type, and require for treat- 

 ment 7iot bleeding, but medicines and good feeding, 

 to support the powers of nature. 



Impaction of the Omasum.'— (Or third Stomach.) 



In some parts of the world this disease is called "wood 

 evil." So called because the stomach is filled with leaves, 

 dried bramble and sticks or twigs, from bushes. These 

 articles being deficient in nutritive matter, cause the 

 suspension of rumination (chewing the cud,) and diges- 

 tion. 



Causes. — As already hinted, it is caused by, and in 

 addition to the above, dried grass, which has been left 

 standing in the field, or in fact any kind of food, which 

 does not contain essential principles for fat and blood 

 making, in proportion to its bulk, is sure to bring on an 

 attack of wood evil or impaction of the third stomach. 



Symptoms. — Loss of cud, loss of appetite, quickened 

 breathing and accompanied with a grunt. Diarrhoea is 

 followed by constipation, great thirst, the legs, horns 

 and ears are cold, grinding of the teeth, and when the 

 disease has about run its course, moaning takes the place 

 of the grunt, and diarrhoea now succeeds costiveness, 

 and the poor beast dies exhausted. Examinations after 

 death disclose a curious condition, namely : the third 

 stomach is perfectly stuffed full with food, and it is so 

 hard and dry, that it readily burns when fire is applied 

 to it. 



Treatment. — Allow the animal plenty of cold water 



