SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIII. 623 



is stimulated reflexly. In urgent cases the gas must bo allowed to 

 ■escape without delay, and this is best accomplished by the use of the 

 trocar. The trocar is a sharp-pointed instrument incased in a sheath 

 which leaves the sharp point of the trocar free. In selecting the point 

 for using the trocar a spot equally distant from the last rib. the hip 

 bone, and the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae must be 

 chosen. Here an incision about three-fourths of an inch long should 

 be made with a knife through the skin, and then, the sharp point of 

 the trocar being directed downward, inward, and slightly forward, is 

 thrust into the paunch. The sheath of the trocar should be left in the 

 paunch so long as any gas continues to issue from it. If the canula. 

 or sheath, of the trocar is removed while gas is still forming in the 

 paunch and the left flank becomes considerably swollen, it may be 

 necessary to insert it again. It is well, accordingly, to observe the 

 canula closely, and if gas is found to be issuing from it, it should not 

 be removed. When gas issues from the canula in considerable quan- 

 tity the sound accompanying its escape renders the exact condition 

 obvious. It is occasionally necessary to keep the canula in the stomach 

 for several hours. When this is necessary a piece of stout cord should 

 be passed around the neck of the canula immediately below the pro- 

 jecting rim, annd then be passed round the animal's body and tied in 

 a secure knot, and a careful attendant must remain with the cow dur 

 ins the entire period that the instrument is in place. The rim sur- 

 rounding the mouth of the canula should be in contact with the skin. 

 Whenever the person in charge of the cow is satisfied that gas has 

 ceased to issue from the canula the instrument should be removed. 



The canula is to be employed only in extreme or urgent cases, 

 though everyone who has had experience in treating indigestion in 

 cattle will realize that he has saved the lives of many animals by its 

 prompt application. When the tympanitic animal is not distressed 

 and the swelling of the flank is not great, or when the most distress- 

 ing condition has been removed by the use of the trocar, it is best to 

 resort to the administration of intei'nal medicine. Two ounces of 

 aromatic spirits of ammonia should be given every half hour in a quart 

 of cold water, or half an ounce of chloride of lime may be dissolved 

 in a pint of tepid water and the dose repeated every half hour until 

 the bloating has subsided. It is generally necessary to give a dose of 

 purgative medicine after bloating has subsided, as animals frequently 

 show symptons of constipation after attacks of indigestion. For this 

 purpose 1 or I14 pounds of Glauber's salts may be used. 



CHRONIC TYMPANITES. 



Cattle, especially those which have been kept in the stable all win- 

 ter, are liable to suffer from chronic tympanites. In this form the 

 animal bloats up after feeding, but seldom swells so much as to cause 

 any alarm. The chronic form of indigestion may also follow an acute 



