ACUTE GASTRO-INTESTINAL CATARRH OF THE OX. 95, 



The animals keep away from the manger ; the spinal column is 

 arched upward, the limbs are gathered together. The hair is dull 

 and bristly, especially at the head and along the dorso- lumbar- 

 region; the ears are hanging or flat. The temperature of the 

 cutaneous surface is variable ; the ears and horns are alternately 

 cold and hot ; the conjunctiva and other mucous membranes are 

 injected ; there are often chills and muscular tremblings. In cer- 

 tain patients the muzzle is also damp, but when wiped it is a 

 considerable time before the moisture reappears upon it. 



The temperature of the mouth is higher; its cavity is full of 

 saliva and mucus ; sometimes we observe ptyalism. The appetite 

 is diminished or suppressed ; thirst also undergoes the same changes. 

 The rumination is stopped ; still there are cases where it takes place, 

 and then the merycic regurgitations are made in small boluses, 

 which receive only twenty to thirty mastications ; from time to 

 time we notice fetid evacuations, vomituritions, and even true vom- 

 itings. The inflated abdomen is especially prominent on the left 

 side and toward its inferior part ; the left flank is also filled out. 

 The contents of the paunch may be directly accessible to palpa- 

 tion through the flank wall ; the hand feels a doughy, fairly con- 

 sistent sensation. When the paunch is lifted by gases its contents 

 can only be felt by exerting strong pressure upon it, which some- 

 times produces a dull briiit. Slight meteorism often appears 

 periodically. The movements of the paunch and its bruits are 

 weakened ; the contents of the rumen are somewhat lifted from 

 time to time, but it never undergoes the normal movement of 

 rotation (Harms). Pressure upon the abdomen (left flank and 

 hypochondrium) is manifestly not painful. 



Defecation is rare ; the fecal matters are harder and of a darker 

 color than normal, and often enveloped in a thin crust ; we may 

 find them ring-streaked and having a putrid odor ; they are some- 

 times covered with mucus, and form clammy and shiny masses. 

 When diarrhea exists the excrements are mixed with alimentary 

 matters that have not undergone merycic mastication, and which, 

 are not at all digested. In auscultating the right side of the 

 abdomen we perceive rare or infrequent borborygmi ; as a rule 

 there are slight colics, indicated by anxiety, stampings, and kicks 

 which the animal directs toward the abdominal walls ; also twitch- 

 ing of the tail, frequent and short decubitus, the decubito-costal 

 position, and looking towards the flank, etc. In some patients 



