THE DAIRY COW 169 



BLOAT IN CATTLE 



When cattle graze on fresh green clover or alfalfa they fre- 

 quently bloat. This is caused by a fermentation of the 

 material in the paunch which causes gas. This gas distends 

 the paunch and may burst it or may kill the individual by 

 pressing against the lungs and interfering with respiration. 

 This may kill the animal by suffocation. 



To prevent bloating animals should be accustomed to such 

 feeds as cause bloat gradually, and then be kept on them con- 

 tinuously. Frozen legumes are dangerous in this respect 

 and should be used with care. 



A case of bloating can be remedied by puncturing the paunch 

 with a trocar or a jackknife so as to allow the gas to escape. 

 The opening is made in the hollow space in front of the hip 

 on the left side. In such a case the after-treatment must be 

 such as to allow the wound to heal. 



In the Breeders' Gazette for June 24, 1915, D. J. Healy and 

 J. W. Nutter, of the Kentucky experiment station, discuss a 

 recent remedy they have worked out for this difficulty. 

 They say: 



" For the present we strongly recommend for acute bloating 1 quart of a 

 \Y% per cent, solution of formalin, followed by placing a wooden block in 

 the animal's mouth and gentle exercise if the animal can be gotten up. 

 Formalin is a trade name for a 40 per cent, solution of formaldehyde gas 

 in water and may be obtained at any drug store for 40 cents a pint. 

 One-half ounce of formalin in 1 quart of water makes the proper solution 

 with which to drench the animal. 



"Lad's Oona bloated badly on white clover June 13, 1913. She was 

 drenched with 1 liter of water containing 40 cubic centimeters of for- 

 malin; a block of wood was at the same time placed in her mouth, thus 

 keeping it open. At the end of twenty minutes she had entirely re- 

 covered. No bad after-effects followed this treatment. Valentine's 

 Valentine 2nd bloated badly on white clover May 23, 1915. She was 

 drenched with 300 cubic centimeters of a 4 per cent, solution of formalin, 

 and a block of wood was placed in her mouth. At the end of twenty- 

 five minutes she had entirely recovered. No bad after-effects followed 

 this treatment. These and four other cases of clover bloat were promptly 

 and thoroughly relieved by the administration of formaldehyde." 



Bloat affects sheep similarly and they should be handled 

 in a similar manner. With both sheep and cattle, however, 

 prevention is of greater importance than cure because the 

 animals may be dead when found. 



