304 CATTtB. 



necessary to give a dose of purgative medicine after bloating has sub- 

 sided, as animals frequently show symptoms of constipation after 

 attacks of indigestion. When the bloating is not too great gentle walk- 

 ing exercise will facilitate the removal of the gas. 



Indigestion of the Third Stomach. This has been called Grass 

 Staggers, Dry Murrain, and Wood Evil. The fact that there has been 

 so many different names applied to this disease indicates that those who 

 have written concerning it are by no means agreed as to its nature and 

 cause. Among sympathetic writers, however, there seems to be a 

 general agreement that the seat of the disease is in the third stomach, as 

 they have followed one another faithfully in describing that part as the 

 sole seat of trouble. 



Causes. Want of exercise predisposes to this disease, or food which 

 is coarse or indigestible may after a time produce this condition. Food 

 which possesses astringent properties and tends to check secretion may 

 also act as an exciting cause. Food in excessive quantity may also lead 

 to disorder of digestion and to this disease. It is very likely to appear 

 toward the end of protracted seasons of drought, therefore a deficiency 

 of water must be regarded as one of the conditions which favor its 

 development. 



Symptoms. Diminished appetite, rumination irregular, tongue 

 coated, mouth slimy, dung passed apparently not well digested and 

 smelling badly, dullness and fullness of the flanks. It is also frequently 

 stated that on pressing the fist below the short ribs on the right side the 

 third stomach will be found as a hard sort of mass in that situation. 



The disease may in some cases assume a chronic character in addition 

 to the foregoing symptoms; slight bloating or tympanites of the left 

 flank may be observed; the animal breathes with effort, and each alter- 

 nately hot and cold; rumination ceases; the usual rumbling sound in the 

 stomach is not audible; the passage of dung is almost suspended; and the 

 animal passes only a little mucus occasionally. The patient falls away 

 in flesh and becomes weaker, as is shown by one frequently finding it 

 lying down. When the animal falls into this weak and exhausted con- 

 dition the disease frequently terminates fatally. 



Occasionally the brain becomes disordered, no doubt from the de- 

 ranged condition of the stomach reaching the brain through the reflex 

 action. There is weakness and an unsteady gait, the afflicted animal 

 does not appear to take notice of and will consequently run against ob- 

 stacles. After a time it falls down and gives up to violent and disordered 



