EXAMINATION OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 37 



uraemia, peritonitis, irritation of (he intestines, or uterine inflam- 

 mations. 



3. Serious coughing spells will cause it, from laryngitis, bron- 

 chitis, or liquids getting into the larynx. 



4. In obstruction of the bowels (foreign bodies blocking up 

 the bowel, hernia or twisting of the intestines) excrement is 

 vomited up. 



5. Beginning of distemper. 



6. From various brain-affections (meningitis, commotio cerebri) 

 Very often in certain diseases of the pharynx movements of the 



throat resembling vomiting are frequently noticed. 



The vomited matter of an empty stomach in acute or chronic 

 catarrh is a thin, watery mucus; in chronic catarrh, however, the 

 matter is slimy and thick. Coming from an empty stomach it is 

 always slightly green in color, indicating the presence of bile. In 

 cases of repeated vomiting pure greenish bile may be thrown out. 

 Sometimes the vomited matter is tinged with blood, or the blood 

 may be in clots, due to a laceration of the mucous membranes of 

 the stomach, from the swallowing of sbarp objects, such as bones, 

 pieces of wood, or the presence of an abscess in the stomach. 

 There may, however, be a hemorrhage of blood that may come 

 from the mouth or the throat. Sometimes an abscess may form 

 in the region of the oesophagus and break into it, and from the 

 vomiting of blood looks as if it was from the stomach. 



The vomited matter is generally acid in reaction, and if there 

 is much acid present the smell is sour and penetrating; very offen- 

 sive when excrement is vomited and putrid when the animal has 

 eaten decayed meat, or a carcinoma or an abscess is present. In 

 cases of poisoning the matter may correspond in odor with the 

 poison itself, as phosphorus, carbolic acid, or hydrocyanic acid. 



Physical Examination of the Bowels and Peritoneum. 



In making an ( xamination of the abdomen it is best to make 

 the animal stand if possible, and by the pressure in the abdomen 

 we can tell if there is any tenderness present, which will be 

 evinced by the animal trying to escape, or by groans, or even 

 attempting to bite. There is intense pain on pressure in perito- 

 nitis or carcinoma of the peritoneum. In enteritis the pain is 

 very severe, especially from the effects of some poisons; also in 



