342 MODERN FARRIER. 



takes place, producinjjf suci> a wound as may be at- 

 tended with fatal consequences. 



Happily tliis operation is not often necessary, as 

 it is foirnd that the administration of some internal 

 stimulating medicines will check the fermentation 

 of the green fodder, and promote the absorption of 

 the extricated air. Many farmers have for some 

 time given tar A\ith this intention, administering an 

 egg sIk 11 full to each beast ; of late, however, the 

 use of ardent spirits has been introduced, and it is 

 fi>und that a pint of wliiskey or gin, mixed with an 

 e(|ual quant ty of water, is the most efficacious re- 

 medy. Laudanum has also been recommended, but 

 probably it is not superi<ir to common spirits. 



It has been the practice with some farmers, to in- 

 troduce, on these occasions, the common rope em- 

 ployed in cases of choaking into the stomach, and 

 move it up and down so as to produce a gradual 

 evacuation of the air ; but we should suppose that 

 the evacuation produced in this way must be ex- 

 tremely slow. 



Dr. Monro, senior, of Edinburgh, some years ago 

 contrived an elastic tube, that might be introduced 

 down the throat into the stomach of the animal, and 

 thus speedily and effectually evacuate tlie air. The 

 tube is to be composed of iron wire, as large as a 

 common stocking wire, or about one sixteenth part 

 of an inch diameter, twisted round a smooth iron 

 rod, three-eighths of an inch diameter, in order to 

 give it a cylindrical form ; and after taking it off the 

 rod, it is to be covered with smooth leather. 



To the end of the tube, which is intended to be 

 passed into the stomach, a brass pipe, two inches 

 long, of the same size as the tube, and pierced with 

 a number of large holes, is to be firmly connected. 



To prevent the tube from bending too much, 

 within the mouth or gullet in time of passing it 

 down into the stomach, an iron wire, one-eighth of 

 an inch diameter, and of the same length as the 



