BLOATING. 197 



bursting. It is caused by the rapid fermentation in the stomach 

 of very succulent green food, which has been greedily swallowed 

 while wet with dew or rain. The stomach may at the time be 

 disordered, and its digestive powers impaired ; or the distension 

 may be produced by other diseases of which it is an attendant or 

 a symptom. In such a case it indicates a decrease or chemical 

 change of the alkaline secretions of the rumen. The treatment 

 should be immediate, lest suffocation ensue. An alkaline fluid 

 poured into the rumen, frequently alleviates the symptoms and 

 removes the trouble. This may be 



Ammonia Water (Aqua Ammonice) 1 teaspoonful 



Water Va pint. 



to be administered through a horn. A hollow, flexible probang, 

 which should be kept for this purpose may be inserted through 

 the gullet into the rumen, by which a means of escape for the 

 gas may be made. The alkaline liquid mentioned may be 

 poured into the stomach through the tube of the probang, or 

 an opening may be made through the flank into the rumen with 

 the trochar and canula, (fig. 74), or by a small bladed knife. This 

 opening should be cautiously made at the spot where the greatest 

 swelling is found. In the latter case a quill should be inserted 

 into the hole to allow the gas to escape. If the passage be stopped 

 by solid matter, a wire may be put through the quill to restore the 

 opening. The ammoniacal liquid previously mentioned, or a solu- 

 tion of a teaspoonful carbonate of soda in quarter of a pint of 

 water may be injected through the quill with a common syringe. 

 Afterwards the following may be given with the horn : 



Epsom Salts 2 ounces. 



Ginger 1 dram. 



Water 1 pint. 



If the production of gas still continues, a dram of chloride of lime 

 dissolved in water will tend to remove the gases generated by the 

 now decomposing food. 



Where none of these appliances are at hand, the following sub- 

 stitutes may be used, viz : Flour, lard, and salt, to form a bolus 

 mixed with one dram of carbonate of ammonia, at the early stage, 

 or one dram of chloride of lime at the later stage. Small boluses 

 of this mixture to be placed on the root of the tongue or into the 

 gullet, so that they may be swallowed. Sulphuric ether is some- 

 times given in doses of two drams each in cold water, it is a valu- 

 able stimulant and antispasmodic when the animal becomes rigid 

 or convulsed. 



