254 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



oesopliagus by t"he rumen, and returns into that compart- 

 ment after its second descent (Duverney, Simonds, 

 Bourgelat, &c.). 



III. The groove acts as a hand, grasping matter which 

 it takes from the rumen (Perrault). 



IV. In formation of the pellets a special apparatus is 

 employed, which consists of the groove, and the openings 

 into the oesophagus and omasum closed (Flourens). 



Y. Energetic contraction of rumen and reticulum forces 

 food into the enlarged extremity of the oesophagus, which 

 "nips off" sufficient for a pellet (Colin). 



Contraction of the diaphragm and of the abdominal walls 

 are adjuncts to regurgitation. The pillars of the diaphragm 

 of the ox are specially arranged ; this peculiarity seems to 

 favour rumination by preventing compression of the oeso- 

 phagus when the diaphragm contracts. True gastric diges- 

 tion in the ox presents no special features. Chymification 

 is rapidly performed. According to Tiedemann and Gmelin 

 the omasum secretes an acid juice, which materially assists 

 in the conversion of the albuminoids into peptones. We 

 can well understand that, to enable the gastric juice to 

 act efficiently, a large amount of the profuse alkaline sali- 

 vary secretion must be drained off, and the mass may thus 

 be strongly impregnated with acid throughout by the 

 action of the omasum. 



The rumen is subject to various disorders and lesions, 

 some of which are very important from a practical point 

 of view. They sometimes necessitate operative inter- 

 ference, and are very liable to recur. 



Tympany — '^ Hoven" oe " Blown" — Distension op the 

 Rumen with Gas, known also as fog sickness, dew hloivn, 

 and under numerous provincial terms. It is designated 

 by the French meteorization, and is one of the most 

 frequent affections of cattle. 



Symptoms. — The patient commences to exhibit signs 

 of uneasiness, rising and lying down frequently, and 

 kicking at the belly, for this disease is very pain- 

 ful. The rumination is suspended and food is refused. 

 There is depression, protrusion of the muzzle, projection 



