CHAPTER III.—PART II.

DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF DIGESTION

Rumination

Oxen and sheep belong to the class of animals known as Ruminants, which feed principally on the leaves and stalks of plants. The quantity of food which they take at a time is very considerable; with a powerful prehensile tongue, they rapidly gather up into their mouths thick and long tufts of grass, which are only slightly masticated, and immediately swallowed. Four stomachs—so called, although the fourth stomach is the true stomach, and the other three are appendages of the œsophagus—are employed in the process of digestion. The first—the paunch, or rumen—is by far the larger of the four, occupying three-fourths of the abdominal cavity. Its mucous membrane is rough with _papillæ_ or eminences, and protected with a dense scaly _epithelium_. The second is called the recticulum, or honey-comb bag, because the lining mucous membrane is so disposed in folds as to form hexagonal spaces; within these spaces the tubes of the glands may be seen. This bag is the smallest of the digestive organs, is connected with the anterior part of the paunch, with which it communicates freely, and to which, indeed, it may be regarded as dependent. The third cavity is the _manyplies_, _maniplus_ or _omasum_; the first name being given on account of the many plies or folds formed by the mucous membrane. These folds are of unequal breadth, the principal ones being separated by others, which gradually diminish in size. The surface is covered with _papillæ_, the folds being flattened at the sides and somewhat pointed at the fore edges, forming ridges and furrows. The contents of the manyplies are always dry; the food sometimes becomes compressed into thin cakes between the folds, and the epithelium manifests a tendency to peel off in shreds and adhere to the pulpy mass of food. The fourth cavity—the _abomasum_ or _rennet_—is the true stomach, discharging the same functions as the stomachs of those animals that have only one such organ. It is considerably larger than either the second or third stomach, although less than the first; is lined with a thick villous coat, which is contracted into ridges and furrows, somewhat like the omasum, and secretes an acid, solvent juice, essential to the process of chymification. The act of rumination calls into exercise the first three organs. The crushed food passes from the œsophagus to the rumen; there it remains for some time, subject to the action of heat, saliva, mucous and the secretion of the organ. The tougher the food the longer it is retained. From the rumen the food passes to the recticulum, where the operation of maceration, commenced in the first stomach, is continued, the operation being facilitated by a slow, churning movement characteristic of both organs. The recticulum also appears to be the special receptacle of the fluid that is swallowed, for this at once passes into it, without going into the first stomach. The precise nature of the action of the secretions is uncertain. It is supposed to be a fermentation; no doubt at all times a certain proportion of gas is evolved from the food, but excessive fermentation is indicative of disease (Hoove), and of rapid and dangerous chemical change in the contents of the rumen. The pulpy mass, to which the food has been reduced by the chemical change and churning movement of the first two digestive cavities, is now prepared for thorough mastication by the teeth, and for ultimate solution by the digestive fluids. This mastication is _rumination_, or “chewing the cud.” The return of the food to the mouth for this operation is effected by the churning movement and by the contraction of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, which press upward against the rumen and recticulum. The act of regurgitation is very evident to an observer, who sees a large mass ascend from the paunch and distend the œsophagus with an eructating noise. At the moment that a mass of the food passes into the mouth, the accompanying liquid is swallowed into the first of the three stomachs, leaving the solid portion to be slowly ground by the teeth. The length of time thus taken varies with the toughness of the food. Young and very old animals take longer to chew the cud than healthy adults. When the food has been sufficiently comminuted it is again swallowed, some of it into the first two stomachs; but, by a peculiar mechanism of muscular contraction; the passage into the first is so closed that the greater portion of it passes through the opening into the third stomach, from which it goes into the abomasum. The function of the omasum appears to be to regulate the descent of food into the abomasum, though some means of assimilation may take place between its many plies. The last stomach, as already stated, completes the process of digestion.

Loss of the Cud

This is a mere symptom which accompanies many diseases, and even morbid conditions, which scarcely deserve the name of disease, and will yield with the removal of the ailment of which it is a mere symptom. Sometimes it may be present when nothing else is sufficiently tangible to warrant treatment, or it may continue after the disease otherwise seems to have been removed.

TREATMENT.—In any case in which it appears to exist independently, or to be the principal symptom, give twenty drops of the J. K., morning and night, The “cud” will soon return.

Colic

This disease is not so dangerous as tympanitis, yet it may prove fatal from bad treatment or neglect. It is generally the result of improper or indigestible food, or food in too great quantity, or that to which the animal is not accustomed. If colic comes on after indigestible food, it is accompanied by constipation and thirst. Certain kinds of food, such as grains, oats, decayed turnips or cabbages, or dry food, are liable to induce it, or it may arise from exposure to cold when the body is warm, or from cold drinking when the body is heated.

It consists in severe paroxysms of pain in the bowels, and, if neglected, is liable to cause inflammatory disease of the digestive organs.

SYMPTOMS.—Sudden manifestation of pain in the belly, by uneasiness, pawing the ground, striking the belly with the hind legs or horns, often lying down and then rising, grinding the teeth, and moaning. When caused by wind, the belly is much swelled on the left side, and there is frequent passage of flatus. The animal’s back is arched, and she frequently looks at her flanks, scrapes with her fore feet, and kicks with the hind ones. All these symptoms increase, until she expires amid groans and grinding of the teeth. Or the following may be noticed:

The animal refuses to eat, looks to its sides, paws the ground, kicks against the body with the hind feet, lies down, rises again, and continues these movements till unable longer to keep upon its feet. Often the animal falls down so violently that it seems as though the four legs were suddenly struck away from under it, or he squats down like a dog upon his hind quarters, rolls over, lies upon his back for a time, with the legs stretched upward, and generally acts as if frantic. The horns, ears and feet are alternately hot and cold. The animal suffers from thirst and constipation, the longer the constipation the more acute the pain; the paunch is much swollen. If recovery takes place, the symptoms are gradually mitigated, and then entirely disappear. On the other hand, if the pains get worse and become more frequent, the bowels become inflamed, and if the pains, under these circumstances, suddenly disappear, the inflammation terminates in _gangrene_ (mortification), and the animal dies.

TREATMENT.—The F. F., will almost invariably be found successful. Give a dose of twenty drops every half hour until relieved. If not better after a few doses, and should there be fever, alternate the A. A., the same dose, with the F. F., at the same intervals. As the animal seems relieved, or partially so, give the remedies at longer intervals.

Constipation

This is rarely of grave consequence in cattle, and when it exists, is usually a symptom of some other disease. When present, a dose of twenty drops of the J. K., given morning and night, will soon set all right again. If there is suspicion of some inflammatory condition lurking in the system, the A. A., in like doses, will have the like effect.

Tympanitis—Hoove—Blown—Drum-Belly—Grain-Sick—Heaving of the Flanks—Maw Bound

This disorder—of very frequent occurrence among cattle, though not belonging exclusively to them—is of two kinds; one due to the evolution of gas from the food taken, the other to the impaction of the food. In one case the gas produces enormous inflation of the rumen, or first of the four stomachs possessed by cattle, in the other distension.

DIAGNOSIS.—To Mr. Surmon we are indebted for the following table of

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DISTENSION FROM GAS AND FOOD ──────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────── DISTENTION FROM GAS │ DISTENTION FROM IMPACTED FOOD ──────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────── The left flank, on pressure, feels│The left flank, on pressure, feels soft, elastic and yielding to the │solid; does not yield readily to fingers. On percussion, sounds │the fingers. On percussion, or on hollow and drum-like. │being struck, sounds dull. Frequent belching; the wind which │No belching or eructation of wind. escapes has an offensive smell. │ Respiration quick, short and │Respiration not much interfered puffing. │with. Position standing; head stretched │Position lying down, and is with forward, unable to move; moans, │difficulty induced to move; and appears in great distress; │looking dull and listless. eyes red and staring. │

CAUSES.—When cattle, especially such as have had poor and scanty food, are turned into a rich pasture, or stray into the fields of lucern, etc., they will often eat ravenously, and take more than they can digest. Wet grass in warm weather, or fodder that has become heated in consequence of being heaped together while damp, may also be too freely eaten. The consequence is that the rumen is overloaded, and the contents, under the influence of warmth and moisture, ferment and evolve what is at first carburetted hydrogen; and subsequently sulphuretted hydrogen; or, if there be no formation of gas, the food remains solid and undigested. Drinking excessively of cold water, eating too much bran, chaff, unboiled potatoes, uncrushed oats, grains, boiled roots or turnips, may cause the same condition.

SYMPTOMS.—These may appear suddenly, but always soon after the animal has been feeding, generally on returning from the field; they may, however, occur in the stable. The animal ceases to eat or ruminate, is swollen or “blown” over the whole belly, but particularly at the flanks or left side, where the distended stomach lies. The rumen is enormously swollen, the pillars of the œsophagus are tightly closed, thus preventing the escape of gas; and the greater the distention the firmer is the closure of the œsophagus. The swelling yields when pressed by the finger, and gives forth a hollow sound, like that from a drum when it is struck. There are also sour and noisy belchings of wind; the cow does not move, moans, and is evidently in great distress. The distended rumen presses on the diaphragm and impedes the action of the heart and lungs, causing shortness and difficulty of breathing; the nostrils are widely dilated, and there is a threatening of suffocation. As the disease advances, the pulse becomes hard, full, and quicker than before; the eyes are bloodshot, glazed, fixed and prominent; the mouth is hot and full to dripping of frothy slaver; the tongue hangs out; the veins of the neck and chest are distended with blood; the poor beast crouches, with its back bent up; the legs are drawn under the body; the tail is curved upward; the anus, which is closed, protrudes. The body is now covered with cold sweat; the animal stands in one place, continually moans or grunts, trembles, totters, falls, struggles violently, ejects from mouth and nose sour fluid mixed with solid food, and at length sinks and dies, either from suffocation or rupture of the stomach.

TREATMENT.—This is the same whether the distention is from gas or impacted food. F.F. may be given a dose every quarter or half hour. We give the method of puncturing, which, however, need never be resorted to if the F.F. be administered.

_Puncturing._—Relief is sometimes very urgently required, and this is best afforded either by plunging a trocar into the left side, or by passing a probang down the œsophagus into the paunch. If the trocar is used, let the canula of the instrument be ten or twelve inches long, so as to prevent the paunch from slipping away from the canula and causing delay, and perhaps further danger. _Chloride of Lime_ is valuable after the animal is somewhat relieved by the use of the trocar; about two drachms should be mixed with a quart of water. In case of immediate relief being imperative, and a trocar not being at hand, a long, sharp pointed pen-knife may be used for puncturing. The place for puncturing is midway between the hip and ribs, where the distended rumen is prominent; the direction is inward and downward. The puncture will be followed by an outrush of gas, fluid, and even portions of food. A quill, or some other tube, must be ready to be inserted in the hole immediately after the knife is withdrawn, otherwise the wound will close. If nothing tubular be at hand, a smooth piece of stick must be put in, or anything else that will serve the purpose of keeping open the wound till the gas has escaped. The danger of this operation is not from the wound itself, but from the escape of the contents of the paunch into the abdomen, which would cause peritonitis, or from piercing the spleen or kidney. The operation can only be regarded as a rough one, to be adopted in case of great emergency.

When distension has ceased and matters have to some extent resumed their ordinary course, the animal should remain some hours without food or water. The food afterwards should be sparing and suitable.

J. K., should be administered two or three times daily until the animal is fully recovered.

Diarrhea, Scouring

Diarrhea is more common in old cattle and calves than in those of middle age, where it is generally of little importance, soon correcting itself, especially in the spring, when herds are first turned into green fields. The usual causes are: decayed cabbages, bad grains, or other improper food, or impure water; sudden change to rich pastures; the use of purgative medicines; exposure to cold and wet, acrid bile, sudden change from dry to wet weather, or severe exertion in hot, dry weather.

SYMPTOMS.—The disease comes on slowly, with staring coat, shaking, arched back, fore legs drawn together, cold legs, ears and horns, weak pulse, tucked up belly, bowels rather looser than usual, deficient appetite. The animal becomes thinner, more depressed and dull; little or no milk is given, and the bowels are purged to an alarming extent. This purging may stop and then reappear to end fatally, or terminate in dysentery.

TREATMENT.—We should, of course, give food not so loosening in its character and the F.F., a dose of twenty drops two or three times per day, will usually be found quite sufficient. In extreme cases, or in case of failure with this remedy, the I.I., may be alternated with it, at the same or even more frequent intervals.

Diarrhea or Cholera or “Skitt” in Young Calves

Is quite common, and not unfrequently dangerous. In its more dangerous form it appears the first or second day, and it is then presumably caused by the feverish or unhealthy condition of the mother’s milk. In its natural condition, this first milk is laxative and intended to act as a removal of the first passages in the new born calf.

When the milk is very rich in butter, as in the Jersey cattle, it becomes excessively laxative, especially during the period of the milk fever, or the first three days after calving. The passages are noticed to be very frequent, loose, liquid, or even watery, with weakness and rapid wasting; the legs and ears become cold, and, in extreme cases, short breath and panting with the tongue out.

TREATMENT.—The dam should always have a dose of A.A., soon after calving, and this should be continued, a dose at least three times per day for four days, or until the usual danger from milk fever is passed.

If, however, the dam has had no treatment, give her a dose alternately of the A.A., and of the F.F., at intervals of three hours, to change the feverish or unhealthy nature of the milk, as well as to give the calf the Remedy through the mother’s milk.

Give also to the calf a dose of five drops of F.F., once in three hours if the case is urgent, or three times per day if but slight, and gradually omit as the calf improves. If the F.F., fails, give I.I., a dose every fifteen minutes or half hour at first until relieved, then once in three hours.

Dysentery—Johnes Disease

This is a disease which has existed on certain farms for years without either the owners or Veterinarians knowing what it was, and it is only within the last few years that we have known that it was caused by a definite disease germ.

SYMPTOMS.—This disease usually attacks whole herds rather than individual animals. At first there is loss of condition and weight with rough coat and dry skin, then diarrhea is noticed, the discharges being brown and like molasses. There is no fever, but the animal has little appetite and keeps getting thinner and weaker all the time until it finally dies from exhaustion. The course of the disease is long—from two months to three years—and is always fatal.

TREATMENT.—In suspected cases give F.F., twenty drops every three hours, until the animal improves or the disease becomes thoroughly developed in which latter case the animal should be killed at once, and the place disinfected as given under abortion on page 122.

Stomatitis

This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the lips, cheeks and gums and occasionally also of the palate and tongue. It may occur as one of the symptoms of a disease of the digestive organs or general disease; or may be caused by thorns, sharp teeth, rough food, poisonous plants, mercury, fungi, etc.

SYMPTOMS.—The membrane of the mouth is red and inflamed and the animal does not eat because of the pain in chewing. In some forms of this disease there are also swellings and tenderness about the pasterns and cracks and scars on the udder and teats, which makes the disease look very much like foot and mouth disease. However in foot and mouth disease, the whole herd and also hogs and sheep are attacked, while with stomatitis only a few cattle are affected.

TREATMENT.—Give C.C., in the morning, and I.I., at night, also wash the mouth with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL and water half and half. Give plenty of clean pure water, and only soft or liquid food, such as gruels, mashes, etc.

There is also a form of this disease which attacks calves (calf diphtheria) usually under six weeks old. The mouth is covered with yellow-gray patches and there is high fever, swelled glands about the throat, and great weakness. The treatment is the same as given above, except that as the disease is contagious, the calf must be separated from the other animals and everything that it has come in contact with disinfected.

Boulimia—Excessive Appetite

An unusual increase of appetite is a symptom of a morbid state of the constitution. Though the animal eats largely, greedily, and even shows a disposition for uncommon food, which he takes gluttonously, he may become more and more emaciated. Suitable food should be given; at the same time it should be fresh, and not in excessive quantities, although there is a desire for it. Fresh, cold water should also be given.

Impaction of the Omasum Fardel Bound—Dry Murrain

The first three stomachs of ruminants do not secrete fluids and are dependent for their action on saliva and swallowed liquids. Hence if an animal has not had sufficient water or a fever has dried up the saliva, the food may become dry and caked in the folds of the third stomach.

SYMPTOMS.—There is loss of cud and appetite, the right flank is full and hard on pressure. In slight cases the animal may remain standing, but usually is lying on the left side with nose against the right flank. There is constipation alternating with diarrhea. The legs and horns are cold and the coat “hide bound.” These are the usual symptoms, but sometimes the animal becomes frantic, and rising rushes blindly about often doing itself considerable damage.

TREATMENT.—Give A.A., and J.K., alternately every two hours. In addition to this give a plentiful supply of liquids, such as linseed tea, 2 to 3 buckets daily; also enemas of warm water with a little salt are often helpful. During convalescence the diet should consist of sloppy food with plenty of water and salt.

Irregular Teeth

May be looked for if an animal presents the following symptoms: The beast becoming thinner gradually, and eating less food than usual; slaver dribbling from the mouth along with half-chewed food, especially while the cow is cudding; she is “hoven” or bloated at different times; a bad smell comes from the mouth, arising from ulceration of the side of the cheek, caused by irregular teeth.

TREATMENT.—The mouth must be carefully examined, and all long or irregular teeth must be shortened and smoothed by means of the tooth-rasp.

Gastritis—Gast ro-Enteritis—Inflammation of the Stomach

DEFINITION.—Gastritis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the abomasum, extending, generally, into the duodenum (gastro-enteritis). It is not of unfrequent occurrence, and usually accompanies enteritis. (See next section). It is a very dangerous disease, and frequently terminates fatally.

CAUSES.—They are the same as those of enteritis—improper food, musty hay, acrid plants, impure water, etc.

SYMPTOMS.—The beast is heavy, dejected, restless, scrapes the ground with the fore feet, strikes the belly with the hind feet, grinds the teeth, looks around at its flanks and belly, groans, lows; the look is sad, the eyes red; the ears, horns and feet cold; the muzzle dry; the abdomen somewhat swollen and extremely tender; there is diarrhea and vomiting, and cessation or deterioration of milk, which, when drawn, is thin, yellowish, stringy, and irritates the udder; sometimes it is reddish and offensive. Spasms and colic are occasionally so intense as to make the animal furious. M. Gelle has observed that the most constant symptoms of gastritis are: loss of appetite, arrest of rumination, and abnormal condition of the tongue. If the inflammation be intense, the tongue appears to be contracted, straighter and more rounded than usual, red at the point and along the edges, and the papillæ are elevated and injected. In some intense cases, when several of the viscera are involved, the tongue is yellow or green.

TREATMENT.—A.A., is the first and principal remedy, and may be given, at first, a dose every half hour or hour. As the animal improves, the intervals between the doses may be prolonged, and only at the conclusion, when the animal has become free from the more active symptoms, or they have subsided, the J.K., may be given for the remaining debility of the digestive organs.

No solid food should be given until convalescence sets in. Small quantities of fluids may be given in the form of oatmeal or flour gruel, or water.

Enteritis—Inflammation of the Bowels

DEFINITION.—Inflammation of the intestines, throughout a greater or less extent of their course, and involving all the coats of the intestines or only the mucous lining.

It generally attacks cattle of middle age and robust health; sometimes appears as an epidemic in certain districts, and seems to be most prevalent in hot summers.

CAUSES.—Sudden exposure to cold, or drinking cold water when heated; eating acrid or unwholesome plants; mildewed food; too stimulating diet; drinking impure water; sudden change from poor to rich food; colds, injuries inflicted on the abdomen, the presence of a large number of worms in the intestines; badly managed colic, continuing more than twenty hours, and ending in enteritis; animals inflicted with colic may so injure themselves by falling or rolling over that this complaint may be the consequence.

SYMPTOMS.—Shivering, dullness, extreme restlessness; frequent lying down and rising again, with signs of pain in the bowels; hard, small and rapid pulse; quickened breathing; hot mouth and violent thirst; red and protruding eyes; pawing and kicking; frequent efforts to urinate, but no water, or only a few drops, are discharged; the pain, which is most intense and constant, is increased by pressure and moving about. The hair is rough, the loins tender, the abdomen swollen on the left side, and incapable of bearing pressure; the bowels are obstinately confined; the fæces hard and glazed with slime; but occasionally liquid dung is forced with dreadful agony through the hardened mass obstructing the lower bowel, and all previous symptoms become aggravated. If the latter disease lasts a few days, and there is a sudden cessation of pain, this is a sign that _gangrene_ (mortification) has set in; the feet and ears become quite cold, and after a while the animal falls heavily, struggles convulsively for a brief period, and dies.

DIAGNOSIS.—As the symptoms of this violent complaint resemble, in many respects, those of colic, it may be well to point out the distinctions between the one and the other.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLIC AND ENTERITIS ──────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────── COLIC │ ENTERITIS ──────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────── The attack is sudden. │The disorder generally comes on │gradually. The pain is intermittent. │The pain is incessant and │increases. The pain is relieved by friction │The pain is aggravated by friction and motion. │and movement. Debility is not a characteristic │Debility is very characteristic. till near the end of the disorder.│

TREATMENT.—A.A., should be given at first, a dose every fifteen minutes, and after an hour, a dose every thirty minutes, and after three or four hours, a dose once an hour, which should be continued until the disease yields; only should there be considerable gas or bloating, or extreme pain, a dose or two of F.F., may be interposed.

ACCESSORY MEANS.—Hot water is a valuable adjunct in the treatment of the disease. It may be applied externally by steeping cloths in the water, and closely and compactly, but not too tightly applying them to the body and securing them by belts. Hot water may also be given, either as a drench or as an injection. The water must not be so hot as to scald the animal. The administration of A.A., as stated above, and hot water applied copiously to the body of the animal locally, and occasionally in doses of from a half-pint to a pint internally, will constitute the principal features of the treatment at the commencement of an attack. If applications of hot water are used, the animal should be afterwards rubbed dry and well covered with suitable dry cloths.

If discovered in time, an inflammation of the digestive organs will generally yield to the prompt use of the above remedies. Linseed tea, or oatmeal gruel, will form the most suitable diet.

Peritonitis—Inflammation of the Peritoneum

Inflammation of the membrane which invests the abdominal viscera is very similar to enteritis. It is rapid in its course, generally ending fatally in six or eight days.

CAUSES.—Lesions, contusions, and wounds of the walls of the abdomen; surgical operations, castration, sudden cold, infection while calving.

SYMPTOMS.—Inflammatory fever; the animal shows great sensitiveness when the abdomen is touched, shrinking when any one approaches it, or flexing the painful part when it is touched; looks around at the seat of pain; generally there is swelling of the belly and tightness about the flanks. The beast rarely lies down, or, if it attempts it, rolls on its back; when standing, it keeps the extremities near the centre of gravity, and bends the back downward. The abdomen is hot, the ears and hoofs cold; the pulse rapid, short and wiry. The termination may be in acute ascites, in adhesions of the peritoneum, or in gangrene, the latter being recognized by sudden cessation of pain, small, weak and intermittent pulse, and rapid prostration.

TREATMENT.—The cause of the infection must first be removed, and this may require the assistance of a Veterinarian. A. A. is the proper medicine and should be given fifteen drops every half hour as long as there is any hope of a favorable termination. It will do all the good that any medicine can do.

Flukes, or Rottenness

This term is applied to the condition caused by the presence of fluke worms in the liver or bile ducts, where they sometimes exist in large numbers, causing great swelling of the liver.

CAUSE.—The disease is chiefly developed in low districts, and after damp seasons. The worms are taken in with the food and developed in the liver.

SYMPTOMS.—Depression, sadness, inertness, loss of appetite; watery, red, yellowish, purulent eyes; yellowish tint of all parts not covered with hair; fœtid smell of nose and mouth; hard skin; dull, erect hair; irregularity of excrement, which is white, watery and fœtid.

TREATMENT.—The principal remedies are A. A., at first, and then, after a day, alternate C. C., with the A. A., a dose once in three or four hours.