98 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS 



(residue of sugar beets), malt, withered, heated grass, etc. 

 (c) Certain toxic plants (spotted hemlock, water hemlock, 

 eolchicum, tobacco), (d) Occlusion of the esophagus (choke) 

 will induce bloating if the stomach contents are of a kind 

 which easily ferments. 



Symptoms. — There is a rapid distention of the abdomen, 

 especially of the left side. The abdomen assumes the shape 

 of an apple and is of the consistency of a partially inflated 

 pneumatic tire. On percussion a hyperresonant tone is 

 emitted. On auscultation no peristalsis is audible. The 

 patient is usually quite dyspneic (mechanical compression 

 of lungs, CO» intoxication) breathing with open mouth 

 and tongue protruding. The mucous membranes become 

 cyanotic, there is restlessness, loss of appetite, suppressed 

 rumination and eructation of gas through the esophagus. 

 Regurgitation of food masses occurs occasionally. 



Diagnosis. — Usually easy. The rapid distention of the 

 abdomen, characteristic indications of gas on percussion, 

 dyspnea and anxiety suffice for a diagnosis. Chronic bloat 

 is much slower in development and does not lead to serious 

 distention. The bloating which attends choke has a different 

 history, belching is absent and by using the probang the 

 obstruction is encountered. 



Course. — The course is rapid, in some cases the accumulation 

 of gas, which occupies only an hour or so, leads to death from 

 asphyxia (CO2 intoxication) in a few hours. -Other cases 

 develop slower, the excess gas being belched out from time 

 to time, eventually leading to spontaneous recovery. 



Prognosis. — Acute bloating is always serious, especially 

 in sheep. If, however, treatment is prompt and properly 

 administered recovery soon follows. 



Treatment. — Various methods of- relieving bloating are 

 recommended. Generally speaking they may be placed in 

 one of two groups: (a) Palliative; (b) Radical. 



(a) Among palliative measures are: (a) Kneading the 

 abdomen. The abdomen is gently but firmly massaged by 

 the knee of the operator, the fore parts being elevated by 

 standing the patient on a steep incline. Sheep may be made 

 to stand on their hind legs. Driving the patient up a steep 



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