172 HOVE. 



or roots, may produce hove, but not so rapidly and danger- 

 ously as clover. 



Tympanitis is a functional disorder of the rumen fre- 

 quently attending other maladies, such as impaction of the 

 third stomach, or disorders of the bowels, &c. 



Symptoms. Whilst the animal is eating, or shortly after, 

 a swelling is observed about the left flank. The swelling in- 

 creases, and the animal lifts its head, pants, and appears dull. 

 Eructation is occasionally noticed, especially in the early stage, 

 and rumination is suspended. In proportion to the rapidity 

 in the accumulation of the gas, does the breathing become 

 more laborious. The animal moans, and stands with arched 

 and stiff back. The protruded tongue, bloodshot and promi- 

 nent eyes, dribbling of saliva from the mouth, and rigidly 

 expanded nostrils, indicate the oppression produced by the 

 swollen paunch. Unless relieved, the animal staggers, falls, 

 and dies suffocated, ejecting a greenish liquid by the nose 

 and mouth. A few minutes occasionally suffice for the 

 disease to run its course, but oftener the malady develops 

 more slowly. Indeed, it may be divided into two forms, the 

 acute and the chronic. 



The chronic form of tympanitis is seen in stall-fed cows, 

 and is characterised by relapses whenever an animal is 

 allowed green food. In some cases a trochar has been worn 

 for many days or weeks, and whenever removed, the accumu- 

 lation of gas was observed. 



Nature of Tympanitis. In many instances it is simply a 

 gaseous evolution from actively fermenting fodder, but in the 

 chronic variety there is functional derangement of the organs 

 involved. The character of the gas evolved has been stated 

 to be carburetted hydrogen at the commencement of the 

 disease, and sulphuretted hydrogen as the malady advanced. 



