| Percentage of CO2. | |
|---|---|
| Buckwheat (Polygonum fagopyrum) | 80 |
| Alfalfa (Mendicago Sativa) | 70–80 |
| Clover (Trifolium pratense) | 70–80 |
| Meadow grass | 70–80 |
| Indian corn (Zea Maïs) | 70–80 |
| Spurry (Spergula arvensis) | 70–80 |
| Hay of alfalfa or clover | 70–80 |
| Oats with cut straw | 70–80 |
| Yellow Lupin (Lupinus luteus) | 60–70 |
| Vetch (Vicia sativa) | 60–70 |
| Oats cut green | 60–70 |
| Potato tops | 60–70 |
| Potatoes | 60–70 |
| Meadow hay | 60–70 |
| Leaves of beet | 50–60 |
| Leaves of radish | 50–60 |
| Cabbage | 40–50 |
The marsh gas varied from 16 to 39 per cent., being especially abundant in cases of abstinence. It should, therefore, be in large amount in the tympanies which accompany febrile and other chronic affections. Hydrogen sulphide was found only in traces, recognizable by blackening paper saturated with acetate of lead. Oxygen and nitrogen were in small amount and were attributed to air swallowed with the food. In the work of fermentation the oxygen may be entirely used up.
Lesions. These are in the main the result of compression of the different organs, by the overdistended rumen. Rupture of the rumen is frequent. The abdominal organs are generally bloodless, the liver and spleen shrunken and pale, though sometimes the seat of congestion or even hemorrhage. Ecchymoses are common on the peritoneum. The right heart and lungs are gorged with black blood, clotted loosely, and reddening on exposure. The right auricle has been found ruptured. Pleura, pericardium and endocardium are ecchymotic. The capillary system of the skin, and of the brain and its membranes, is engorged, with, in some instances, serous extravasations.
Prevention. This would demand the avoidance or correction of all those conditions which contribute to tympany. In fevers and extensive inflammations, when rumination is suspended, the diet should be restricted in quantity and of materials that are easily digested (well boiled gruels, bran mashes, pulped roots, etc.,) and all bulky, fibrous and fermentescible articles must be proscribed. In weak conditions in which tympany supervenes on every meal, a careful diet may be supplemented by a course of tonics, carminatives and antiseptics such as fœungrec oxide of iron, hyposulphite of soda and common salt, equal parts, nux vomica 2 drs. to every 1 ℔. of the mixture. Dose 1 oz. daily in the food, or ½ oz. may be given with each meal.
Musty grain and fodder should be carefully avoided, also mowburnt hay, an excess of green food to which the stock is unaccustomed, clover after a moderate shower, or covered with dew or hoarfrost, frosted beet, turnip, or potato tops, frosted potatoes, turnips or apples, also ryegrass, millet, corn, vetches, peas with the seeds fairly matured but not yet fully hardened. When these conditions cannot be altogether avoided, the objectionable ration should be allowed only in small amount at one time and in the case of pasturage the stock should have a fair allowance of grain or other dry feed just before they are turned out. Another precaution is to keep the stock constantly in motion so that they can only take in slowly and in small quantity the wet or otherwise dangerous aliment.
When it becomes necessary to make an extreme transition from one ration to another, and especially from dry to green food, measures should be taken to make the change slowly, by giving the new food in small quantities at intervals, while the major portion of the diet remains as before, until the fæces indicate that the superadded aliment has passed through the alimentary canal. Another method is to mix the dry and green aliments with a daily increasing allowance of the latter. Some have avoided the morning dew and danger of fermentation by cutting the ration for each succeeding day the previous afternoon and keeping it in the interval under cover.
Treatment. Various simple mechanical resorts are often effective in dispelling the tympany. Walking the animal around will sometimes lead to relaxation of the tension of the walls of the demicanal and even to some restoration of the movements of the rumen with more or less free eructation of gas. The dashing of a bucket of cold water on the left side of the abdomen sometimes produces a similar result. Active rubbing or even kneading of the left flank will sometimes lead to free belching of gas. The same may be at times secured by winding a rope several times spirally round the belly and then twisting it tighter by the aid of a stick in one of its median turns.
A very simple and efficient resort is to place in the mouth a block of wood 2½ to 3 inches in diameter and secured by a rope carried from each end and tied behind the horns or ears. This expedient which is so effective in preventing or relieving dangerous tympany in choking appears to act by inducing movements of mastication, and sympathetic motions of the œsophagus, demicanal and rumen. It not only determines free discharge of gas by the mouth, but it absolutely prevents any accession of saliva or air to the stomach by rendering deglutition difficult or impossible. A similar effect can be obtained from forcible dragging on the tongue but it is difficult to keep this up so as to have the requisite lasting effect. Still another resort is to rouse eructation by the motions of a rope introduced into the fauces.
The passing of a hollow probang into the rumen is very effective as it not only secures a channel for the immediate escape of the gas, but it also stimulates the demicanal and rumen to a continuous eructation and consequent relief. Friedberger and Fröhner advise driving the animals into a bath of cold water.
Of medicinal agents applicable to gastric tympany the best are stimulants, antiseptics and chemical antidotes. Among stimulants the alkaline preparations of ammonia hold a very high place. These, however, act not as stimulants alone, but also as antacids and indirectly as antidotes since the alkaline reaction checks the acid fermentation which determines the evolution of the gas. They also unite with and condense the carbon dioxide. Three ounces of the aromatic spirits of ammonia, one ounce of the crystalline sesquicarbonate, or half an ounce of the strong aqua ammonia may be given to an ox, in not less than a quart of cold water. Next to this is the oil of turpentine 2 oz., to be given in oil, milk, or yolk of egg. But this too is an antiferment. The same remark applies to oil of peppermint (½ oz.), the carminative seeds and their oils, and the stronger alcoholic drinks (1 quart). Sulphuric or nitrous ether (2 oz.) may be given in place. Pepper and ginger are more purely stimulant and less antiseptic. Other alkalies—carbonate of potash or soda, or lime water may be given freely.