Abstract:
Concerning the pathogenesis of acute bloat, this has been shown to be
closely associated with the production of gas during the rapid oxidation of
sugar mainly by yeast cells as described above. Normal eructation of gas
may be impeded as a result of excessive foam production in the forestomachs
especially when animals are restricted to a diet of green lucerne. This
foaming up of the ruminal mass is directly attributable to the presence of
saponin in lucerne which through its action on surface tension retards the
breaking of the foam. Undue frothing of the ruminal ingesta can be controlled
by resorting to a feeding practice in which green lucerne is supplied
to cattle and sheep only after the consumption of other foods.
In a subsequent report attention will be devoted to hydrogen-ion concentration
in relation to fermentation in the forestomachs.
