INTRODUCTION. 67 



the course of the oesophagus, due either to presence of 

 an impacted body, or to a dilated state of the tube. De- 

 glutition may be difficult (dysorexia) or the appetite 

 impaired or absent (anorexia). 



Nausea may be present or vomition, the former being 

 an uncomfortable sensation, manifested by attempts to 

 return matters from the stomach for expulsion from the 

 body, the latter being a successful performance of the act. 

 These are due to irritability of the stomach, and evacua- 

 tion of the contents of the rumen somewhat readily occurs 

 in the ox, in consequence of the adaptation of the oesophagus 

 for regurgitation, as well as downward passage of food. 



BoRBORYGMA is abnormal rumbling of the bowels, such as 

 may be observed after administration of drastic purgatives. 

 Often it depends on accumulation of gas in the stomach or 

 intestines, flatulence, or tympany. The conditions of the 

 ahdomeriy whether diminished in size, " tucked up ^^ as in 

 acute disorders, or distended by gas, tumours, or food 

 accumulations, should be noted. The size, movements, and 

 general conditions of the thoracic walls also vary. 



The Urine of the ox normally has a specific gravity of 

 1030 — 1040, a yellowish- white colour, a special odour, and 

 an alkaline reaction. Its chemical, physical, and micro- 

 scopical characters vary much with different conditions of 

 life and in disease. The specific gravity may be tested by 

 the urinometer, or by specific-gravity globules. The urine 

 will be found modified, under various circumstances, in 

 quality and quantity, and especially in proportions of its 

 several constituents. 



The Skin op the ox exhibits a fair amount of activity. 

 Animals in health keep it clean by licking, and thus often 

 introduce hairs into the stomach. Perspiration may occur 

 generally or locally under disease, and the perverted con- 

 ditions of the cutaneous secretions in weak patients, and 

 those with a scrofulous tendency, as also dirt accumulations, 

 predispose to local irritations, and invasion by vegetable 

 or animal parasites. 



The expired Air has an odour characteristic of the 

 animal, due to effete matter which it carries from the 



