178 INDIGESTION. 



and producing enormous ulcerations, ^Yhich in certain cases implicate the 

 entire inner surface of the rumen. 



The treatment must be varied, according to the cause, symptoms, 

 and immediate complications. When the disease is of an acute type, 

 such as that produced by over-gorging with lucern and green food, it is 

 best to proceed as in gaseous indigestion, i.e., to puncture the rumen and 

 give frequent large doses of purgatives until the stomach and bowels have 

 been freely unloaded. The animals should then be kept for some days 

 on small quantities of easily digested food, and should be allowed luke- 

 warm, mucilaginous drinks. 



When tympanites and impaction occur simultaneously, immediate 

 surgical intervention becomes necessary, and gastrotomy may then be 

 performed by a very simple method. 



Two loops of cord are passed around the abdomen, one behind the 

 hypochondriac circle, the other in front of the angle of the haunch. 

 Assistants placed on the right side draw these loops tight, so as to im- 

 mobilise the left flank. A bistoury is then thrust directly through the 

 walls of the abdomen and rumen. As a consequence of the pressure 

 exercised by the ropes, if not of the pressure of gas itself, the food material 

 contained in the rumen is often expelled in a powerful stream. As the 

 superposed tissues cannot very readily change their mutual relations, the 

 author of this suggestion claims that there is little danger either of in- 

 fectious materials passing into the subcutaneous connective tissue, or of 

 peritonitis ; but this rude treatment can only be resorted to in cases of 

 extreme urgency, and it appears by no means without danger. 



Injections of 10 to 15 centigrammes of pilocarpine and 5 to 10 centi- 

 grammes of eserine are also useful. 



When impaction of the rumen assumes a less acute form, moderate 

 doses of purgatives may be given and repeated daily, or twice a day, until 

 the peristaltic action of the rumen is restored and resumes its normal 

 rhythm. In certain cases, however, recovery is only apparent. The 

 food in contact with the walls of the rumen breaks down, and passes 

 away into the abomasum and intestine, while appetite returns. The 

 animals then resume feeding, and some days afterwards show all their 

 former symptoms. Low diet should therefore always be continued for 

 some time. 



In spite of treatment, or in consequence of treatment being too long 

 delayed, no improvement may follow. The ingested food is not expeUed. 

 Putrid fermentation results, auto-intoxication sets in, and the tempera- 

 ture rises to 40° or 41° C. Unless gastrotomy is performed death is then 

 certain. 



This operation should be undertaken whenever the fever rises to 40° C, 

 and two-thirds of the contents of the rumen removed. The rumen should 



