136 



Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 



of always giving the animals a goodly quantity of dry feed before giv- 

 ing them access to alfalfa pasturage hay, corn fodder and straw being 

 especially mentioned for that purpose. When fed dry 

 feed animals are not so likely ravenously to devour and 

 gorge themselves with the green succulence of alfalfa 

 and thus acquire "bloat." It is also a good plan to 

 allow the animals gradually to become accustomed to 

 pasturing, starting by permitting them to graze but a 

 short time, and gradually increasing the time until the 

 grazing has become continuous. 



The remedies proposed for "bloat" are many and 

 diverse. A very popular remedy for mild cases consists 

 of placing a bit, a stick or a rope in the mouth and 

 fastening it there; meanwhile the animal is violently 

 exercised. Some coat the stick with lard or axle grease 

 to stimulate the flow of saliva. Another means of treat- 

 ing mild cases, sometimes used in connection with the 

 "stick in mouth" method and sometimes alone, is to 

 drench the back of the animal with cold water. Some 

 cover the back of the animal with burlap or an old sack 

 and drench that with cold water. Others drench with 

 kerosene instead of cold water. Then there are those 

 who put a rubber hose down the throat, and those who 

 pull the tongue, and so on. 



The ultimate and sure remedy for "bloat" the 

 remedy used in all severe cases and always when other 

 remedies fail is to "stick" them. The regular trocar 

 and canula, the operation of which is described on 

 pages 421 and 422, is best for this purpose; but where 

 it is necessary to act at once in order to save the life of 

 the animal, any sharp implement, as a knife, will serve 

 to stab or "stick" a hole through the skin and ab- 

 dominal wall to let out the accumulated gas. (See in- 

 structions on pages 419 to 423.) "Here are some typical 

 replies about remedies for "bloat." 



Wallace county: "Pour cold water on them and put a gag in the 

 mouth. The best preventive is to keep them off entirely. Feeding hay 

 or straw, and being sure that they all drink before going in, will help. 



Geary county: "Do not pasture hungry cattle on alfalfa nor let them 

 eat it wet." 



Chase county: "Feed them before turning out. In ? bad cases stab 

 them, and in mild cases throw cold water on their backs." 



Bourbon county: "Don't turn them onto it in spring until dew is off." 



Jefferson county: "Cold water on their backs and a stick in their 

 mouths. As a last resort tap them." 



Elk county: "My remedy is to put a gunny bag on the back and pour 

 on cold water." 



Riley county: "Put a round stick of wood in the mouth. Tie a rope 

 or strap to each end and fasten over the head." 



FIG. 129. The 

 trocar and canula 

 should be on every 

 farm, for the re- 

 lief of bloated ani- 

 mals. See pages 

 421 and 422. 



