DISEASES OP THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 25 



cine after bloating has subsided, as animals frequently show symp- 

 toms of constipation after attacks of indigestion. For this purpose 

 1 pound of Glauber's salt may be used. 



The animal should be fed carefully upon easily digested food for 

 several days after the bloating has subsided, so that all fermenting 

 matter may pass out of the stomach. 



CHRONIC TYMPANITES. 



Cattle, especially those that have been kept in the stable all 

 winter, are liable to suffer from chronic tympanites. In this form 

 they bloat up after feeding, but seldom swell so much as to cause 

 any alarm. The chronic form of indigestion may also follow an 

 acute attack like that previously described. This is also a symptom 

 of tuberculosis when the lymphatic glands lying between the lungs 

 are so enlarged as to press upon and partly occlude the esophagus. 

 It may develop in calves as a result of the formation of hair balls in 

 the stomach. 



Treatment. — Treatment should be preceded by a moderate dose of 

 purgative medicine: 1 pound of sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salt) 

 or sulphate of soda (Glauber's salt), half an ounce of powdered 

 Barbados aloes, 1 ounce of powdered ginger, 1 pint of molasses. The 

 salts and aloes should be dissolved by stirring for a few minutes in 2 

 .quarts of lukewarm water, then the molasses should l)e added, and 

 after all the ingredients have been stirred together for about 10 

 minutes the dose should be administered. After the operation of 

 the purgative it is generally necessary to give some tonic and antacid 

 preparation to promote digestion, which is imperfectly performed in 

 such cases. The following may be used : Powdered gentian, 3 ounces ; 

 l^owderecl bicarbonate of potash, 3 ounces; powdered ginger, 3 ounces ; 

 powdered capsicum, 1 ounce. Mix and divide into 12 powders, one 

 of which should be given three times a day before feeding, shaken 

 up with a pint and a half of water. It is also advantageous in such 

 cases to give two heaped teaspoonsfuls of wood charcoal, mixed witli 

 the animal's feed three times a day. The animal should also go out 

 during the day, as want of exercise favors the continuance of this 

 form of indigestion. If the dung is hard, the constipation should be 

 overcome by feeding a little flaxseed twice daily or by giving a hand- 

 ful of Glauber's salt in the feed once or twice daily, as may be neces- 

 sar3^ Roots, silage, and other succulent feeds are useful in this con- 

 nection. If tuberculosis is suspected as the cause of chronic bloating, 

 a skilled veterinarian should make a diagnosis, using the tuberculin 

 test if necessary. Until it is settled that the cow has not tuberculosis, 

 she should be kept apart from the other members of the herd. 



