GASTRIC DERANGEMENT FROM FOREIGN BODIES. \ 23 



OASTRIC DERANGEMENT CAUSED BY THE PRES- 

 ENCE OP FOREIGN BODIES IN THE STOMACHS 

 OP RUMINANTS. 



Traumatic Indigestion : Traumatic Inflammation of the 

 Stomach and Diaphragm. 



The bibliography of this subject is very rich, but has refer- 

 ence especially to traumatic carditis or pericarditis, which condi- 

 tion ia reality constitutes a complication of those gastric affections 

 which are here considered. The clinical picture of the traumatic 

 lesions of the heart is much more precise than that of the morbid 

 process which takes place in the gastric walls ; thus special works 

 treat almost exclusively of pericarditis. However, the facts related 

 by Obich, Meyer, Harms, and Schmidt, and our own observations, 

 permit us to give a general description of the troubles produced in 

 the digestive organs and diaphragm. 



We frequently detect foreign bodies in the stomachs of ruminants 

 killed for the market. Bergemann found a carving-knife which 

 had remained for three months in the stomach of a heifer, without 

 causing the least local or general trouble. In most cases, however, 

 they occasion grave disorders of the first gastric compartment and 

 the diaphragm. Concerning their pathological importance, Schmidt 

 has classified them in three groups : 



1. Smooth foreign bodies (pebbles, stones, etc.). 



2. Sharp foreign bodies perforating the walls of the stomach and 

 remaining imbedded (large-headed nails, hairpins, etc.). 



3. Sharp or pointed foreign bodies which perforate the walls of 

 the stomach and travel into the annexed parts more or less far 

 (needles, tacks, wire fragments). 



Etiology. The frequency of foreign bodies in the stomach of 

 ruminants results from the habits of the animals, as well as the 

 mode of prehension and deglutition of foods. In proportion we 

 find them more frequently in cows under the care of women than in 

 stables which are looked after by men (Obich). 



They are relatively frequent on small farms, where the greatest 

 variety of kitchen refuse is given to the animals, also in stables 

 owned by mechanics, especially shoemakers, or in the neighborhood 

 of needle factories, and in stables where the ceiling or roof is of 

 wood ; they are more frequent among animals permanently stabled 



