136 DADD’S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 
METEORIZATION OR SUDDEN DISTENSION OF THE 
INTESTINES. 
Metvorization is the name given to a disease known as bloat o1 
hoven in cattle. When it appears in a horse, it receives the above 
same, or clse is termed acute tympanitis. This form of wir-ly or 
tympanitic distension is always sudden in its attack; animals ap- 
parently in the very best of health all at once show symptoms of 
enormous distension of the abdomen, and, in the course of a few 
moments, their lives may be said to be in peril. The distension 
of the stomach and intestines is due to the presence of an immense 
volume cf gas—probably carbureted hydrogen—which augments 
either by spontaneous generation, or in consequence of the food 
running into fermentation instead of being digested. 
Cause.—As regards the cause of this malady, we may, with 
rafety, assert that it is the result of a temporary derangement of 
either the digestive function or the organs of digestion; and such 
condition is inaugurated by overtaxing that function, or those 
organs which carry it on, either by feeding indigestible food, or in 
feeding with too liberal a hand. I have noticed that many ani- 
nals have periodical attacks of this malady. Such are said to be 
voracious feeders. Their abdomen is unusually large, and out of 
proportion to other parts of the body; hence, in so far as their 
conformation is concerned, they may be said to be predisposed ; 
yet the disease sometimes occurs accidentally, and without the 
intervention of any hereditary tendency. 
Physiologists contend that very many diseases which afflict 
horses are due to hereditary tendencies. For example, diarrhea 
and colic are, to a certain extent, hereditary, inasmuch as they are 
very prone to attack animals of particular form and constitution, 
as those with narrow loins, large sides, and of what is generally 
termed a “ washy” appearance. If such animals be overworked, 
especially oon after being fed, if their food be suddenly changed, 
or if they be allowed an unusual quantity of water, they are almost 
certain to be attacked by purging or tympanitis. ‘The tendency of 
these diseases appears, in such cases, to depend on a want cf adjust- 
ment among the different organs of the body—a want of bulance 
among the functions of digestion, circulation, and respiration. 
The following case will give the reader some idea of the symp. 
toms and treatment of this malady: 
