206 THE VETERINARIAN 



struck with the tips of the fingers emits a drum-like 

 sound. The animal has an anxious expression, moves 

 uneasily and is evidently distressed. If relief is not 

 obtained in time the sheep breathes with difficulty, reels 

 in walking or standing and in a short time falls down and 

 dies from suffocation. The distention of the stomach 

 or rumen may become so great that it pushes the dia- 

 phragm (the membrane separating the lung and intestinal 

 cavity) forward against the lungs, so as to squeeze and 

 stop their movements, thus preventing the animal from 

 breathing and in some instances the case may be compli- 

 cated by a rupture of the stomach. 



Tkeatment : Do not waste any time. Puncture about 

 three inches downward and forward from the point of 

 the hip bone with a clean sharp knife, or any instrument 

 that is clean and sharp. A special instrument made for 

 this purpose, the trocar, is a very useful instrument on 

 the farm. 



Sometimes bloating becomes chronic, and if such is the 

 case dissolve two teaspoonfuls of Turpentine in one- 

 half pint of milk and drench the animal very carefully, 

 as some of this drench may escape into the lungs and 

 produce fatal pneumonia. Set a sheep upon its haunches 

 to give the medicine ; if it coughs let it down quickly to 

 prevent strangulation. 



INDIGESTION 



(Dyspepsia) 



Cause: Irritant food, damaged food, overloaded 

 paunch or sudden change of diet may produce this dis- 

 ease. Want of exercise predisposes an animal to it and 

 it is caused by woody or indigestible food. Food which 

 possesses astringent (drying) properties tends to check 

 the digestive secretions and may also act as an exciting 

 cause. Food in excessive quantity may lead to disorders 

 of the digestion and to this disease. It is very likely to 



