Indigestion of the Abomasum. 135 



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

 in length, and a profuse diarrhoea brings relief, the alvine dis- 

 charges being very watery with considerable mucus and some 

 undigested food principles. 



In exceptional cases it has lasted for six hours and even in the 

 more transient cases, there is liable to remain for a time dullness 

 and prostration, advancing of the hind legs under the body, 

 anorexia and suspended rumination. Cruzel records two ca.ses 

 in which the small intestine was ruptured as the result of too 

 vigorous driving of the patients. Other cases have perished 

 from the coexistent diarrhcea. Nervous symptoms also may ap- 

 pear as in other gastric disorders. The usual result is recovery 

 after a very transient illness. This short and favorable course, 

 and the evidence of cause and symptoms sufficiently identify the 

 disease. 



Treatment. Prevention should be sought by avoidance of cold 

 water in excess, when the animal is heated, fatigued and thirsty. 

 A little food, an occasional mouthful of water, or a drink of 

 warm water and meal will act prophylactically. When the 

 animal is attacked alcoholic drinks, ammonia, carminatives 

 (pepper, ginger, fennel, caraway, peppermint, chamomile) or 

 even .strong tea or coffee may be used to advantage. Careful 

 walking exercise is also u.seful with friction to the abdomen, or 

 the use of electricity. Cadeac advi-ses stimulants of the peri- 

 stalsis — eserine, veratrin or pilocarpin sub-cutem ; senna, 

 podophyllin, or castor oil by the mouth. 



