450 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



iodid. in particular being the best diuretic in this case; 

 nerve stimulants may also be of great benefit. The diet 

 should be of a highly nutritious character — light and easily 

 digestible. In case no improvement takes place in conse- 

 quence of the above treatment, it becomes necessary to have 

 recourse to the operation of paracentesis abdominis., using 

 a very small trocar and canula for the purpose, or what is 

 better, an aspirator, by means of which entrance of air into 

 the abdominal cavity may be prevented, a point of import- 

 ance ; convulsions may follow removal of the whole of the 

 fluid, hence the j^atient should be carefully watched, and if 

 symptoms are observed of an approaching convulsion, no 

 more fluid should be withdrawn, at least for a time. The 

 other treatment may be pursued as though the operation 

 had never been performed. As a rule the operation and 

 other treatment give no more than temporary relief, a 

 further effusion of serum usually taking place. 



GUT TIE. 



Gut tie, or strangulation of a bowel, is a condition occa- 

 sionally noticed in working oxen. 



Sym2:)to7ns.— This condition is one very difficult to diagnose 

 correctly. The animal grates his teeth, turns his head to 

 his side, twists his tail in a peculiar spasmodic manner, and 

 shows all the symptoms of abdominal pain ; small quantities 

 of fceces may be voided, mixed with mucus, and occasionally 

 with blood. 



Treatment. — It is possible in some cases to relieve the 

 condition by suddenly turning the animal over on its back, 

 or by making it perform any sudden movement, as jumping, 

 etc. However, it is usually necessary to cut into the side 

 of the abdomen, find the strangulated portion of bowel, and 

 straighten it out with gentle force, after which the wound in 



