Foreign Bodies in the Rumen and Reticulum. 121 



When the body approaches the skin there is formed a large, 

 hot, phlegmonous swelling similar to that which marks the ad- 

 vance of an intercostal abscess. 



In special cases there are symptoms of disease of the particular 

 organ penetrated. Hepatitis, splenitis, and peritonitis are oc- 

 casionally seen. Eggeling notes a fatal hemorrhage from, the 

 wounding of the oesophagus by a nail, and Brauer bloody faeces 

 from penetration of the pylorus by a piece of glass. In other 

 cases fatal results have followed on trauma, thickening and 

 obliteration of the pylorus. (Oliver). 



In cases of the ingestion of shot, the spray of bullets, white or 

 red paint or other form of lead, the special symptoms of lead 

 poisoning supervene. (See lead poisoning). 



Treatment. As a rule this is unsatisfactory and especially in 

 cases implicating the pericardium, as the symptoms may be en- 

 tirely overlooked until sudden death occurs. Hence the great 

 value of preventive measures, and above all the careful removal 

 of all nails from the vicinity of fodders. Bailed hay is always 

 dangerous, and when used, each bale should be carefully freed 

 from its wires and any short pieces removed. Pointed metallic 

 bodies of all kinds should be removed from the pastures and 

 stables. 



In case the migrating foreign body leads to the formation of a 

 superficial phlegmon at any point, this should be freely opened 

 and the offensive agent extracted. 



If the lesion in the reticulum has been diagnosed, the combined 

 methods of Kolb and Schobert should be tried. Turn the animal 

 on its back with the head and shoulders up hill, and employ 

 strong pressure, with the foot, in jerks, over the ensiform carti- 

 lage. The object is to slide the foreign body back into the viscus, 

 and success is claimed in seven cases out of nine. 



Failing in such methods there remains only the operation of 

 rumenotomy and the removal of the offending bodies so far as 

 they can be reached. 



