Acute Catarrhal Enteritis in Cattle. 241 



through the surrounding gases, appetite and rumination are 

 greatly impaired, and there is much rumbling and considerable 

 tenderness of the right side of the abdomen, and more or less 

 costiveness, with hard, glazed mucus-covered fseces. There is 

 some rise or temperature, ardent thirst, injected mucous mem- 

 branes, dry, hot muzzle, weeping eyes, a small, hard, weak pulse, 

 arched back, tender to pinching, and tucked up abdomen. There 

 may be slight colicy pains, uneasy movements ; of the hind feet 

 and tail, and sometimes lying down and rising at short intervals. 



In more severe cases the impaction and tympany of the rumen 

 are more marked, the hyperthermia runs high, appetite and 

 rumination cease, the milk dries up, rigors and tremors appear, 

 the head and ears droop, the eyes are sunken, the mouth is 

 clammy and foetid, the colicy pains are severe or extreme, the 

 right side of the abdomen is very tender, defecation may be 

 altogether suspended and rumbling in the right side of the 

 abdomen ceases or becomes rare. Straining may continue but 

 seldom is anything but mucus passed. Eructations from the 

 rumen are distinctly foetid. 



After the third day the violence of the pains may abate, and 

 sometimes diarrhoea sets in and may. be regarded as critical, and 

 portending recovery. If rumbling in the right side is resumed, 

 if the fever subsides, the spirits revive, and some appetite and 

 rumination return they will herald improvement. 



If on the other hand the pulse becomes smaller, the tempera- 

 ture higher, the eyes sunken and fixed, the urine scanty, red and 

 acid, the animal constantly recumbent on its left side, if when 

 raised it omits the healthy stretching of its hind limbs, and walks 

 sluggishly and painfully with frequent moaning, if when down it 

 rests its head on the ground, the prospects ars very unfavorable. 



Death may occur early from tympany and asphyxia ; it may 

 follow profuse intestinal haemorrhage ; or it may be the result of 

 general infection and inanition. 



Diagnosis must depend on the combination and succession of 

 the above-named symptoms. From acute intestinal congestion it 

 is distinguished by the more moderate type of the colic, and the 

 more gradual advance of the disease. From acute indigestion 

 and tympany of the rumen by the early and marked tenderness of 

 the right side of the abdomen, and the decided hyperthermia. 

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