IMPACTION OF THE RUMEN 129 



The first thi-ee compartments of the stomach are Hned 

 with a thick coating of epithelium and are not supphed 

 with digestive glands. They, therefore, present a remark- 

 able resistance to inflammation. Most of the diseases of 

 these compartments are functional. When for any reason 

 the musculature of the rumen fails to function adequately, 

 the constant mixing of the gaseous, liquid and solid contents 

 is interfered with. The result is that the Uquid, having 

 the greater specific gravity, tends to collect at the bottom 

 of the organ, the solids to occupy the center, and the gas 

 the top. For this reason where gastric peristalsis has been 

 for a time arrested the solid paunch contents become dry, 

 firm and hard, and the hollow of the left flank distended. 

 Obviously the degree of intensity with which these things 

 may occur will depend upon the character of the food. 



In the present state of knowledge any attempt to classify 

 dogmatically the diseases of the stomach of the ox is imprac- 

 tical. If any one compartment ceased to. function it will 

 affect all of the other compartments, so that in practice 

 it is not always possible to make the same fine distinctions 

 made in print. 



IMPACTION OF THE RUMEN. 



Overloaded Paunch. Mawbound. 



Definition. — ^An inordinate acciunulation of food in the 

 paunch without undue gas formation. 



Occurrence. — Impaction of the rumen is usually the result 

 of dietary errors and therefore a common disease among 

 cattle, especially stable-fed animals subject to artificial feed- 

 ing conditions. It is unusual among pastured cattle except 

 under extraordinary circumstances, such as follow extreme 

 drought, etc. 



Etiology. — (a) Overfeeding with good food. It some- 

 times happens that an individual animal is fed beyond its 

 digestive capacity or, what is more common, the animal 

 gains access to the corn field or grain crib and overeats. 

 (6) Bad food. Improperly harvested, over-ripe hay, clover 

 9 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



