274 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



and moans and grunts with pain. Breathing becomes oppressed 

 by the distended stomach pressing on the lungs. If the animal 

 is not relieved in time, it is liable to die of suffocation or of a 

 raptured stomach. 



Treatment. If the animal is much distended, we would advise 

 the use of the trocar and canula (Fig. 12) at once. The instru- 

 ment is to be inserted into the left flank, midway between the last 

 rib and the point of the hip and not too near the backbone. In- 

 sert it downward and inward, and pull out the trocar, leaving 

 the canula (hollow tube) in until all the gas escapes and gives 

 the cow relief. If the gas forms again, it may be necessary to 

 insert it again, or leave it in two or three hours. Another 

 mechanical means of drawing off the gas is by the use of the 

 probang, which is described under "Choking," which see. After 

 you have drawn off the gas, give a physic, No. 2, to carry off the 

 sour, fermented food. If the case is not urgent enough to use 

 the trocar or probang, or if you haven't a trocar or probang, give 

 as a drench the following: 



Aqua ammonia 1 ounce. 



Tincture of ginger 1 ounce. 



Oil of peppermint J drain. 



Cold water 1 quart. 



If not relieved in one hour, repeat the dose. Give injections 

 of warm water freely. We have known cases of this kind relieved 

 by keeping the cow's mouth open by securing a piece of wood, 

 or such like, between the teeth. In very urgent cases, and ;i- 

 the last resort where no trocar can be had, we would advise a 

 sharp knife-blade to be inserted into the flank at the place ad- 

 vised for tapping with the trocar, and a goose quill or the like 

 put in to allow the gas to escape. If the animal is weak, give 

 liquor acetate of ammonia 4 ounces in 1 pint of water as a 



