Studies on the alimentary tract of Merino sheep in South Africa. XIV. The effect of some commonly used antifermentatives in the in vitro formation of gas in ruminal ingesta and its bearing on the pathogenesis of bloat

Abstract

1. It has been shown that turpentine and two proprietary coal-tar preparations have little or no inhibitory action on gas formation in ruminal ingesta incubated in vitro when added in therapeutic concentrations. 2. Very small concentrations of these substances have a marked effect on the physical consistency of the ingesta, raising surface tension and breaking down foam. 3. This affords evidence that it is by their physical action on surface tension that these drugs exert their undoubted beneficial effect in acute bloat. 4. The "foam theory" of the pathogenesis of bloat is discussed. 5. Formalin and copper sulphate may have some inhibitory action on gas formation but the use of ruminal disinfectants cannot be recommended.