ACTINOMYCOSIS OF THE ABOMASUM. 



This has been seen once by Professor Axe. Its true nature is 

 unrecognizable during life, but if other formations of the same 

 kind betray the nature of the lesion, the treatment by iodide of 

 potassium may be resorted to with good hope of success. 



INDIGESTION OF THE ABOMASUM. 



Causes : excess of water — ice cold, or after privation. Symptoms : colicy 

 pains, local perspirations, right flank gurgling, diarrhoea, arched back, 

 anorexia, or nervous symptoms. Prevention : Treatment : stimulants, car- 

 minatives, exercise, electricity, friction, stimulants of peristalsis. 



This has been observed as the result of ingestion of an excess 

 of water, and especially ice cold water, by work oxen, or over- 

 driven animals which have been long exposed to the heat of the 

 sun and subjected to violent exertions without drink. The habit 

 of allowing water only at long intervals, though it is being abun- 

 dantly eliminated not only by kidneys and bowels, but also by 

 the accelerated breathing and the sudation, causes consuming 

 thirst, and when brought to the drinking place, the subject 

 drinks inordinately before eating. Much of this liquid is passed 

 at once into the abomasum, which with a capacity of 20 to 25 

 quarts, becomes overdistended and irritated. Much of the 

 water passes speedily into the bowels, rousing these also into un- 

 wonted action. The sudden distension appears to cause spas- 

 modic contractions of the abomasum which are aggravated if the 

 liquid is cold, and a violent though transient suffering is induced. 



Symptoms. These appear suddenly after the drinking of the 

 cold water and consist in the most violent colicy pains, twisting 

 of the tail, kicking at the belly, lying down and rising at short 

 intervals, moaning, looking at the flanks, anxious countenance, 

 and the breaking out of perspirations around the ears, on the 

 neck or belly. There is no tympany of the rumen but there are 

 some fullness and active gurgling on the right side of the 

 abdomen. The attack does not usually exceed one or two hours 



134 



