Impaction of the Omasum (Third Stomach). 129 



there are the unquestionable signs of gastric and intestinal dis- 

 order. 



It may be confounded with overloading of the rumen, but in 

 the latter case the distension occurs rapidly, there is little or no 

 indication of movement of the viscus, appetite and rumination are 

 usually early suspended and the gaseous eructations are not 

 putrid. 



Postmortem Appearances. These are essentially connected 

 with the impaction of the omasum. This organ is gorged to 

 twice its normal size or larger, firm, solid and resistant, not 

 easily taking an impression of the finger, and having at times an 

 almost stony hardness. When incised the intervals between the 

 folds are sure to be packed with desiccated food, often so dry in 

 the upper part that it may be rubbed down into a grayish powder, 

 and it has been compared to the cakes of linseed as they come 

 from the press. The surface of such cakes is smooth and dark, 

 and usually covered by a layer of epithelium which has detached 

 itself from the surface of the fold. This is usually quoted as a 

 morbid desquamation, but inasmuch as we frequently see it in 

 perfectly healthy conditions in animals killed in abattoirs, it must 

 be admitted to occur also as a normal physiological exfoliation. 

 The exposed mucosa shows spots and patches of congestion, 

 extravasation, and even at times ulceration, or slight areas of 

 necrosis. 



The rumen shows the result of torpor and inactivity. The in- 

 gesta is largely packed into solid masses, which have advanced 

 from the simple acid fermentation, to evident putrefaction with 

 offensive emanations. The abomasum is empty or nearly so of 

 ingesta, but contains abundance of mucus and shows patches of 

 congestion as in prolonged abstinence. 



The small intestine is also empty and collapsed, with con- 

 siderable redness and congestion. The larger intestine contains 

 a small quantity of feculent matter, dry, massed in small pellets 

 and with smooth glistening surface. Mucus is abundant and 

 dense. 



Treatment. This must follow the same lines as in impaction of 

 the rumen with the understanding that the response is less cer- 

 tain and the result somewhat more tardy in reaching complete 

 convalescence. In mild and chronic cases a liberal allowance of 

 flaxseed tea, several bucketfuls per day, will often succeed. 

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