OVERLOADED (IMPACTED) RUMEN. 



Definition. Causes, excess of rich unwonted food, gastric torpor, paresis, 

 starvation, debility, partially ripened, poisonous seeds, paralyzing fungi or 

 bacteria, lead, cyanides, congestion of rumen, chlorophyl, acrids, dry fibrous 

 innutritious food, lack of water, enforced rest on dry food, over-exertion, 

 salivary fistula or calculus, diseased teeth or jaws, senility. Symptoms, 

 suspended rumination, inappetence, anxious expression, arched back, bulg- 

 ing pendent left flank, impressible, no friction sounds, excessive crepitation, 

 hurried breathing, colics, grunting when moved, diarrhoea, stupor, cyanosis. 

 Signs of improvement. Phrenic rupture. Diagnosis from tympany, pneu- 

 monia, or gastro-intestinal catarrh. Treatment, hygienic, antiseptic, stimu- 

 lants, puncturing, purgation, rumenotomy. 



Definition. The over, distension of the rumen with solid food 

 is characterized by two things, the excess of ingesta which pro- 

 duces the torpor or paresis which is common to all over-filled 

 hollow viscera, and the comparative absence of fermentation and 

 evolution of gas. If the ingesta is of a more fermentescible na- 

 ture the rapid evolution of gas occurs before this degree of reple- 

 tion with solid matters can be reached, and the case becomes one 

 of tympany, but if the contents are comparatively lacking in 

 fermentability they may be devoured in such quantity as to cause 

 solid impaction. 



Causes. Overloading of the rumen is especially common as 

 the result of a sudden access to rich or tempting food to which 

 the animal has been unaccustomed. Accidental admittance to the 

 corn-bin, breaking into a field of rich grass, clover, alfalfa, corn, 

 sorghum, vetches, tares, beans, peas, or grain, or into a barrel of 

 potatoes or apples will illustrate the common run of causes. A 

 pre-existing or accompanying torpor or paresis of the stomach is 

 a most efficient concurrent cause, hence the affection is especially 

 common in animals debilitated by disease or starvation, but which 

 have become convalescent or have been suddenly exposed to the 

 temptation of rich food. For the same reason it is most likely to 

 occur with food which contains a paralyzing element, as in the 

 case of the following when they have gone to seed but are not 

 yet fully ripened : Rye grass, intoxicating rye grass, millet, 

 Hungarian grass, vetches, tares and other leguminosse, and to a 

 less extent, wheat, barley, oats and Indian corn. The same may 

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