DISEASES AND REMEDIES. 479 



ach, stimulating medicines, when the contraction at the upper 

 orifice would prevent their being given without some similar 

 contrivance. 



Mr. Blaine has somewhat improved this mode of relief, by the 

 invention of an instrument, for which he was rewarded by the 

 London Society for the Encouragement of Arts, with fifty 

 guineas. This is simply a cane, six feet in length, and consider- 

 able diameter, for oxen, to which a knob of wood is affixed at 

 the end, to be introduced into the stomach. He also invented a 

 contrivance for sheep, which is considerably smaller, and only 

 three feet in length. This instrument is much preferable on 

 account of its simplicity, and is found to occasion the evacuation 

 of the air as effectual as the other. In cases of emergency, the 

 flexible part of a common cart whip might, no doubt, answer the 

 purpose, if applied by a judicious hand. 



In performing this operation, an assistant is to lay hold of the 

 cow's horns with one hand, and the part which divides the nos- 

 trils with the other. The operator is to take the tongue in the 

 left hand, and with his right he is to force the instrument down 

 the gullet. A great quantity of air will rush out as soon as it 

 enters the paunch. The instrument may remain in the stomach 

 until the air is fully evacuated, without injuring the animal. 



Any person unaccustomed to handle cattle would feel some 

 difficulty in using the above instruments, but if the part which 

 divides the nostrils be grasped firmly with the right hand, and 

 the horn be held firmly with the left, the cow will, in general, 

 submit quietly to the operator. 



As soon as the animal has obtained some relief by these 

 means, the following drink may be given : 



Spirit of nitrous tther, . . . . .2 ounces, 



Oil of peppermint, ..... 30 drops, 



Powdered ginger, ...... half an ounce, 



Warm water, ...... 1 pint. 



Mixed for one dose. 



Or, 



Ginger, ........ 2 drachms, 



Powdered caraways, ..... 1 ounce, 



Warm ale, ........ 1 pint. 



Well mixed together. 



An infusion of camomile flowers, or ginger, is likewise a good 

 stomachic in such cases; and it might probably be much im- 

 proved by infusing the ingredients in hot ale instead of water. 



