THE OX—THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 239) 
is slowly ground by the teeth a longer or shorter time according to its. 
toughness. When sufficiently ground the food is again swallowed, some: 
into the first two stomachs, but the greater part into the third, thence into: 
the fourth where the digestion is completed. Because of the tendency ot 
liquids to pass directly into the second or third stomach there is some dan- 
ger that in administering medicine by drenches or other mechanical means. 
the desired results may be defeated, and even damage be incurred. Hence, 
in giving medicine to the ox or sheep it is always best when possible to. 
induce the animal to swallow it voluntarily. 
HOOVE.—GRAIN OR CLOVER SICKNESS. 
This is a distension of the stomach caused by decomposition or fer-. 
mentation of food, or by eating unusual articles of food. Rich grazing 
after poor or scanty food, wet grass in warm weather, fodder heated by 
being heaped up when wet, drinking cold water excessively, eating too 
much grain, bran, chaff, raw potatoes and oats, or boiled turnips, may 
cause the disorder. 
Symptoms.—These appear soon and suddenly; loss of appetite and 
cud; whole body swollen, especially at the flanks, which give forth a drum- 
like sound when struck; sour and noisy belchings; moans and distress; 
animal stands still; short, difficult breathing; nostrils spread; threatened 
suffecation; the pulse grows harder, fuller and quicker; mouth hot and full 
of frothy slobber; eyes glazed, fixed, and blood-shot; the tongue hangs: 
veins of the neck and chest swollen; back arched; legs drawn under the 
body; tail curved; protruding anus; cold sweat; the animal finally totters, 
falls, struggles, discharges sour fluid and solid food from the nose and mouth; 
suffocation or rupture of the stomach, leading to death. 
The distension of the stomach by gas may be distinguished from that. 
arising from impacted food by a study of the table here used, which is. 
taken from the excellent work of Lord: and Rush. 
DISTENSION FROM GAS. 
The left flank, on pressure, feels soft, 
elastic, and yielding to the fingers. On 
percussion, sounds hollow and drum-like. 
Frequent belching; the wind which es- 
capes has an offensive smell. 
Respiration quick, short and puffing. 
Position: Standing; head stretched for- 
ward; unable to move; moans, and appears 
in great distress; eyes red and staring. 
DISTENSION FROM IMPACTED FOOD, 
The left flank, on pressure, feels solid;. 
does not yield readily to the fingers on per- 
cussion; on being struck, sounds dull. 
_No belching or eructation of wind, 
Respiration not much interfered with. 
Position: Lying down, and is with diffi- 
culty induced to move; looking dull and: 
listless. 
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