CATTLE. 151 



Ammonia, which is generally near at hand, given in quantity of two ounces in a quart 

 of water every fifteen minutes until the animal is relieved, is an excellent remedy. 

 Injections of warm water should always be given in the same connection. A hollow flexible 

 tube introduced into the gullet will sometimes afford a little temporary relief until other 

 remedies can be tried, by allowing a portion of the gas to escape. In case there is no relief 

 from other remedies, it may be necessary to make an opening into the stomach and permit 

 the gas to escape by this means, the latter being the best resort, and although sometimes a 

 dangerous remedy, it is usually attended with good results. 



Veterinary surgeons use for this an instrument called the trocar, which is the best for 

 this purpose, but if one cannot be conveniently obtained (as delay may prove fatal), a sharp 

 pointed pocket knife will answer the purpose very well. The incision must be made on the 

 left side, about three inches below the spinal column, and about half way between the last 

 rib and the point of the hip. The trocar or knife should be plunged in and downward, 

 letting it pass in obliquely to avoid wounding the kidney. When the knife is used, a quill 

 must be inserted in the opening through which the gas will soon escape, the hissing sound of 

 its escape being distinctly heard. When food gets over the end of the tube or quill so as to 

 obstruct it, a small piece of whalebone should be passed in to remove the obstruction and 

 keep it open. 



After the gas has escaped, the edges of the wound should be fastened together with a 

 stitch of strong silk, or drawn together and held with an adhesive plaster. A purgative 

 should follow, to remove the fermented food from the stomach, consisting of twelve ounces 

 of Epsom salts, ginger one ounce, molasses four ounces, mixed with two quarts of water, 

 and given in one dose for a full grown animal. The food should be light for several days. 

 The prevention of this difficulty is never to permit cattle to have a sudden change of food, 

 and thus gorge themselves. They should always have a gradual change from hay to grass, 

 and at any time when turned into rank feed, such as the mowing lands in autumn (a practice 

 not to be recommended, but very common in some sections), they should be allowed to 

 remain but an hour or two for the first three or four days, until they have become accustomed 

 to it. Changes from hay to grass, or from grass to hay should always be gradual, as well as 

 that from short pastures to luxuriant mowing lands and clover fields. 



Inflammation of the Bladder. This is an inflammation of the mucus membrane 

 lining the bladder, and is generally caused by some derangement of the digestive organs, 

 such as the eating of poisonous plants, the drinking of impure water, an overdose, or too long- 

 continued use of diuretic medicines, the use of cantharides, etc. The symptoms are pains 

 similar to those in colic, the water is passed with difficulty and pain, it is albuminous in 

 character and frequently scanty in quantity; at other times urination is unnaturally frequent; 

 there is a loss of appetite, and the whole system seems disturbed and weakened. Give flax- 

 seed tea or gruel in large quantities. Gum arabic water and slippery elm tea are also good. 

 Warm water injections are highly beneficial and soothing, and if there is constipation, a mild 

 cathartic should be administered. Apply cloths wet in hot water to the loins, over the region 

 of the bladder, and keep the patient warm and quiet. Avoid constipating food. Warm bran 

 mashes and food of a soft and moist character should be given. 



Inflammation of the Brain. (See CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN.) 

 Inflammation of the Kidneys. This is caused by taking cold, by external violence, 

 strains, eating poisonous or diuretic plants, etc. The symptoms are similar in many respects 

 to those of inflammation of the bladder, except that the urine is thick and dark-colored, and 

 voided frequently in small quantities, with straining and evident pain. The hind feet are 

 carried unnaturally far apart, showing great soreness and tenderness of the kidneys, while 

 lameness is sometimes apparent in one or both of the hind legs. There will be considerable 



