100 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS 



Prophylaxis. — It is recommendable to feed cattle about to 

 be placed on clover or alfalfa pastures a quantity of dry hay 

 before being turned out. Cattle grazing in fields covered 

 with rich pasture or sheep on stubble fields should be care- 

 fully watched by attendants. Farmers should keep trocars 

 handy, as in acute primary bloat a veterinarian cannot 

 always be called early enough to prevent death. 



CHRONIC OR HABITUAL TYMPANY. 



Etiology. — This form of bloating which is milder than the 

 acute primary is always a secondary condition. It is usually 

 due to: (a) chronic gastro-intestinal catarrh. (6) Adhesions 

 sometimes the result of traumatic indigestion, (c) Tuber- 

 culosis of the mediastinal lymph glands which press upon 

 the esophagus so reducing its lumen that belching is inter- 

 fered with, (d) Hair balls in cattle and wool balls in sheep 

 (infrequent), (e) Stenosis or impaction of the intestines 

 (rare). 



Symptoms. — The symptoms consist in a gradually develop- 

 ing usually moderate distention of the left flank. The 

 condition is usually an intermittent one and an attack 

 follows the ingestion of food which easily ferments. In a few 

 individuals the distention may be permanent. There is 

 usually not much disturbance of the general condition. The 

 animal may eat, ruminate and seem in normal health except 

 for the distention of the abdomen. In some cases the patient 

 may show symptoms of indigestion. 



Diagnosis. — The diagnosis of chronic tympany is usually not 

 difficult, although to determine the exact cause of it during 

 the life of the patient may be impossible. It is advisable in 

 all cases to test the animal with tuberculin, and at the same 

 time carefully sound the esophagus with a probang to see 

 whether tuberculosis exists or not. 



Prognosis. — While chronic tympany usually does not lead 

 to immediate death the prognosis is more serious than in 

 acute primary bloating, as the causes cannot always be' 

 removed. 



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