I 



ACTION OF MASSAGE. 195 



manipulation is sometimes so painful that some means of control are 

 required. 



Massage of the abdomen is most useful in ruminants and dogs. In 

 ruminants it arouses peristalsis, so that in fifteen to twenty minutes 

 the overloaded and torpid rumen may often be set in action. The best 

 method of manipulation is to station on either side of the abdomen a man 

 who, laying his clenched fists close together on the animal's side, makes 

 regular powerful kneading movements from below upwards. Where 

 severe tympanites or obstinate chronic impaction of the omasum exists, 

 or rumination has been suppressed for several days, the power of the 

 operator's arms is insufficient, and Vogel suggests the operator sitting 

 on a stool and using the soles of the feet. Counter-pressure must, of 

 course, be exercised on the right side. 



In dogs the abdomen can be massaged with the animal either in 

 the upright or prone position. The points of the fingers alone may be 

 used, or where over-distended portions of the bowel can be felt the 

 open hands may be employed. The coil of intestine is grasped with 

 the fingers and the contents broken down and forced onwards. With 

 the animal in the standing position one operates in a similar way, the 

 points of the fingers being slowly pressed from either flank into the 

 depths. The individual portions of bowel may be kneaded and peristalsis 

 aroused by suddenly releasing the parts after subjecting them to stead}- 

 pressure. In this way even severe constipation may be cured and 

 more serious operation often avoided. 



