IMPACTION OF THE RUMEN 131 



Course. — ^The course of impaction of the rumen is usually 

 from three to ten days. It is contingent upon the character 

 of the paunch contents. If they be very undigestible the 

 condition may last for one or two weeks leading to death 

 from gastro-enteritis (fever; rapid, weak pulse; great mental 

 depression). On the other hand death may ensue from 

 tj-mpany within twenty-four hours. The symptoms of 

 improvement are the return of rumination, paunch move- 

 ments and copious bowel evacuations. 



Diagnosis. — ^The diagnosis depends upon the history, the 

 enlargement of the abdomen, especially on the left side, 

 and the doughy or hard consistency of the paunch contents. 

 Fever and accelerated pulse are usually absent. 



Prognosis. — ^The prognosis is usually good. When the 

 character of the contents of the rumen is such as to be 

 highly undigestible, causing the symptoms to continue for 

 a week or more, the prognosis is bad. Inflammation of the 

 stomach, or peritonitis can result, leading to death. 



Treatment. — ^The treatment is directed to promoting the 

 movements of the paunch and thus stimulating rumination, 

 arresting the fermentation of the stagnant food masses, and 

 relieving any resulting impaction of the omasum or consti- 

 pation of the bowels. 



Hygienic. — ^The patient should be made to fast from one 

 to two days. Liquids, especially water, may be allowed 

 liberally. Kneading the walls of the abdomen over the 

 rumen five to ten minutes every three hours or three times 

 daily is helpful. If food is given at all it should be easily 

 digestible and laxative (fresh grass, bran gruels, fine hay, 

 root crops). 



Medicinal. — ^To stimulate paunch movements and to 

 relieve constipation laxative drugs are indicated. The rule 

 should be to employ the milder drugs of this sort first. 

 At any rate drastic purges should be avoided. As physics, 

 oil and salts do little good in obstinate cases. In mild 

 attacks Glauber salts (gxxiv), raw linseed oil (Oiss) are 

 effective. More active is castor oil (gxxiv) in equal volume 

 of warm water. Ether (gij) may be added to the mixture. 

 Ammoniima carbonate and nux vomica are much employed 



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