Treatment. 273 



two to three weeks and if the gastric disturbances do not 

 yield to prolonged treatment, if constipation has existed several 

 days or scouring several weeks, if a paretic condition has set 

 in or if symptoms of gastro-intestinal inflammation or of 

 peritonitis make their appearance. Then the animals should 

 be slaughtered. In tuberculous cows or in animals advanced 

 in gestation the prognosis ought to be gaiarded even in primary 

 atony (Eber). 



Treatment. It is of primary importance to regailate the 

 diet according to the same principles as were laid down for 

 overfilling of the rumen (see page 253). After withholding 

 rough feed for one or more days, one feeds for a few days 

 only good hay in small quantities and some floury fluids mixed 

 with some common salt. Feeding until the animals are satisfied 

 and at once after the return of the appetite always brings about 

 a considerable relapse of the bad condition. Pasturing has 

 a good dietetic effect. Calves do best on boiled milk or boiled 

 oatmeal, which should be given in small quantities several times 

 a day (Imminger), 



The treatment proper consists preferably in massage of 

 the rumen (see page 253). Drugs stimulating motion of the 

 rumen (see page 254) are likewise very serviceable and are 

 eventually useful for a long time. Other laxatives should only 

 be given in complete constipation, because these drugs have 

 no effect upon the motions of the rumen, and if administered 

 for some time in large quantities of water, they are liable to 

 increase the disturbance of the stomach. Diarrhea of some- 

 what longer standing ought to be combated by the administra- 

 tion of styptics. 



A drug which has proved beneficial is hydrochloric acid 

 .(one to two tablespoonfuls in a quart of water several times 

 daily) ; it does not only stimulate the digestive processes, but 

 also hinders to a certain degree the abnormal decomposition 

 in the stomach. This is also accomplished by creolin (5 gm. 

 three times daily in a bottle of water) which has been recom- 

 mended by several observers. The following drugs are also 

 to be mentioned in this connection : Common salt and sodium 

 bicarbonate aa ; sulphate of sodium; artificial Carlsbad salt 

 (one to two tablespoonfuls). 



Cases which have not done well under any other mode of 

 treatment have sometimes been benefited by the administration 

 of large amounts of water directly into the rumen through a 

 trochar introduced through the left flank and connected with 

 a rubber tube and a funnel. In this manner it is possible to 

 introduce up to fifty quarts of water into the rumen of cattle 

 within the course of several hours (Deffke) ; it may be well 

 to add 8 to 10.0 gm. of hydrochloric acid or 8 to 15.0 gm. of 

 creolin, lysol, resorcin. However, if there is any obstruction 

 of the omasum or an olistruction between the sections of the 



Vol. 2—18 



