TYMPANITES. 
277 
It will be seen from the above that, if the ova of the tape-v^orm 
;gain access to the canine stomach, no tape-worm can result, since 
it must of a necessity pass through the system of a sheep or kindred 
animal and pass through the stage of hydatid cyst. 
In the same way, should a scolex find its way into the stomach 
•of an elephant no hydatid cyst will result, since the scolex must of 
necessity pass through the system of a canine animal before again 
arriving at this stage. 
Elephants therefore cannot directly communicate the parasite to 
one another but only indirectly through the media of dogs, wolves, 
■and jackals. 
The dangers of hydatid cyst are — 
{a) It may increase and rupture. 
{d) It may suppurate and become an abscess. 
On the other hand it may rarely be absorbed and disappear. 
Treatment : Preventive. — It follows from the above that mahouts 
should not be allowed to keep dogs about elephant standings 
and, should dogs' droppings about the standings be discovered, they 
should be collected and burned. 
When diseased liver and lungs are discovered after death they 
should be treated likewise. 
Tympanites. 
Definition. — The formation and accumulation of an abnormal 
amount of gas in the stomach or bowels. 
Causes.— \t may simply be due to the fermentation of food as in 
cases of simple indigestion. Occasional attacks may be met with 
in animals whose digestion is much impaired and it occurs in flatu- 
lent colic. It however is met with as a symptom in very grave 
conditions, such as impaction, inflammation or twist of the bowels, 
peritonitis, etc., and in such cases it is usually regarded as a very 
unfavourable sign. Simple tympanites may be distinguished from 
the graver diseases in which it may occur by the state of the pulse, 
temperature, and injection of the membranes, also the fact that it 
usually is seen later on in the course of these diseases. 
Symptoms. — Evidence of pain, which may be intermittent or 
■continuous and sometimes violent. Considerable distension of the 
abdominal cavity causing a tense drum-like condition of its walls, 
most noticeable in the flanks, often great distress in breathing. The 
animal may stand very quiet, but in some cases may be semi-delirious. 
Pain on pressure of the abdomen. Sometimes there is passage of 
wind. 
