IXninKSTloX. 72» 



soda salt (salicylate of soda) is the best form, perhaps. The internal 

 administration of other antiseptic remedies — as preparations of carbolic 

 acid and boracic acid, sulphite of soda, quinine, etc., might also be 

 tried. 



CHAPTER YIII. 

 Indigestion. 



Indigestion sometimes attacks young animals soon after birth, and is 

 perhaps most frequently observed in Calves, seldoinor in Lambs ; in 

 Foals and the young of Carnivora it is rarely met with. 



Causes. 



The principal cause would appear to be too rich milk, or even milk diffi- 

 cult of digestion from its poorness, or fi-om its containing some extraneous 

 ingredient to which the young creature is not accustomed. The quan- 

 tity of milk may also prove as potent a cause as its quality. Therefore 

 it often happens, that too copious sucking after abstinence will give rise 

 to an attack ; and among Calves reared by hand, those which receive 

 artificial food of improper quality or in undue quantity, are frequently 

 the subjects of indigestion. An alteration in the milk of the Cow, pro- 

 duced by fatigue, or bad food or water, will also lead to the same acci- 

 dent ; while altered secretions in the stomach of the Calf itself — as too 

 much acidity — will undoubtedly cause coagulation of the milk, and, as a 

 consequence, indigestion. 



Indigestion is often witnessed in high-bred Calves which are un- 

 naturally forced, in order to produce greater and premature develop- 

 ment. 



Siimptoms. 



The young animal looks dull and dejected, and evinces uneasiness or 

 suffering ; the movements are torpid ; the coat is dry and staring ; it 

 yawns now and again, and there are sharp gaseous eructations which 

 cause it to elevate its head. Soon it refuses to suck or to partake of 

 food, and the nausea is more marked ; there may be vomiting of coagu- 

 lated milk ; the brenth has an acid odour, and the tongue is coated 

 with a white or greyish fur; the abdomen is swollen and tympanitic, and 

 pressure made towards the upper part of the right side, as well as along 

 the cartilages of the ribs, causes pain ; flatus is expelled when diarrhoea 

 — the ficces being yellow and fcetid— sets in, which is frequent — though 

 constipation is not rare ; and at this period symptoms of colic are often 

 noted, and the respiration is at times hurried. The diarrhcra is a means 

 of cure ; though should it persist too long, inflammation of the stomach 

 and intestines may ensue. Then there is emaciation, the abdomen is 

 retracted and flanks tucked up ; fever is present ; signs of great pain 

 are manifested ; the dejections are small in quantity, and consist of a 

 yellow glairy mucus, mixed with lymph or false membranes. 



Indigestion runs its course rapidly in the Calf — in the majority of 

 cases only occupying two, three, or four days. It may be considered a 

 serious condition, as death often occurs. As it is frequently induced by 

 causes which are in operation for some time, even when recovery takes 

 place relapses are to be apprehended ; at last the stomach and intes- 

 tines become inflamed, and enteritis brings about a fatal termination. 



