CHAPTER XIV. 

 SYMPTOMS AND REMEDIES. 



In order to make definite comparisons between the 

 symptoms of various plant poisonings it has been 

 deemed best to locate them all in one place. In this 

 way it is believed the particular case may be more 

 readily discovered. A general discussion of the various 

 remedies will be found at the beginning of this chapter, 

 page 246. 



Bloat. General symptoms : huge swelling on the left 

 side of the paunch below the hip bone; animal groans 

 and grunts as if in pain; labored breathing; animal seeks 

 place like an irrigating ditch where it can stand with 

 forefeet up-hill, thus throwing the paunch back from 

 the lungs and throat. 



Remedies : In first stages large doses of common bak- 

 ing soda given as a drench may give relief. Shove a 

 section of a garden hose down the throat; this allows 

 more or less of the gas to escape. Tie a short piece of 

 hoe or pitchfork handle in the mouth like a bit; this 

 keeps the mouth wide open and allows gas to escape. 

 Run the animal around a field for twenty minutes at 

 good speed; this works the gas off the stomach. Per- 

 form the operation known as "paunching" or "rumen- 

 otomy." To do this stick a trocar or long knife blade 

 into the stomach about five inches below the left hip 

 bone and the same distance back from the last small 



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