Digestive Organs of the Ox and Sheep. 
53 
We have before alluded to the peristaltic action which con- 
tinually goes on in the intestines to effect the removal of the 
effete matter. In spasm this motion, although interrupted, is 
not suspended, and, the abnormal contraction of the canal 
diminishing its calibre, the part is thus pressed within the dilated 
portion, and strangulation ensues. Intussusception would be 
an almost invariable consequence of the disorder, were it 
not that the mesentery, which attaches the intestines to the 
spine, also limits their motion. Nevertheless, when once in- 
vagination takes place, it gradually increases; the mesentery 
tears, and several feet of the bowel will then become im- 
pacted — a circumstance that is always attended with an aggra- 
vation of the patient's sufferings, ending in death. Oxen and 
sheep are less jjrone to intussusception than the horse, for in 
them the mesentery is shorter, and so arranged that the intestines 
can scarcely be strangulated in this manner. 
The causes of spasm are various, and among the principal may 
be named the drinking of a large quantity of cold water when 
the body is healed ; the partaking of coarse indigestible provender ; 
over exertion, more especially when the stomach is loaded with 
food ; and checked perspiration by exposure to a low temperature 
or storms. The attack is generally sudden, and there are 
seldom any premonitory symptoms. In the horse the indications 
of the existence of the disease are shown by crouching ; throwing 
the body on the ground ; rolling when down, quick rising; curling 
the tail ; stamping and pawing with the fore feet; striking at the 
belly with the hind ones ; turning the head to the flank ; «Scc. 
Neither the breathing nor the pulse is, however, much disturbed, 
except during the paroxysms; and it is also a peculiarity of the 
disorder that it is marked by intermissions of the sufferings. 
Besides intussusception, spasm is very likely to terminate in 
inflammation of the bowels, when all the symptoms are increased 
in severity ; the pulse rises and becomes thready, the artery 
feeling like a vibrating cord beneath the fingers ; the breathing 
is increased ; perspirations bedew the body ; the intermissions 
cease ; and the vital powers are gradually but speedily exhausted. 
Want of attention to a change in the symptoms has led to many 
a valuable animal being sacrificed, because the medicinal agents 
which are best calculated to remove spasm will be productive of 
great mischief it given when inflammation is present, by adding 
to the morbid action which is going on. It is therefore apparent 
that cases of gripes, if not quickly yielding to the ordinary 
remedies, should immediately be placed un<ler the care of a 
skilful practitioner, who alone is capable of deciding on the plan 
of treatment which is necessary to be adopted. I would wish to 
impress this forcibly on your minds, for, were I to attempt to 
