486 



THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



generally made about eight inches long. For the sheep, the 

 instrument used is necessarily much smaller. Before the opera- 

 tion is performed on the ox, the animal must be secured by the 

 horns, and the operator should stand on the left side in front of 

 the hind leg. The operator quickly plunges the instrument into 

 the paunch, then he withdraws the stilette, and leaves the cannula 



Fig. 61. 

 The above illustration depicts a cow, on which the exact spot in the flank 

 whereat the rumen should be punctured in cases of tympanites is shown. 



in position, to allow of the continuous escape of the gases. The 

 cannula is tied in this position, and kept there until the gas has 

 ceased to be produced. 



If the sufferers are in-lamb ewes, or sheep out of condition^ 

 about half-a-pint of linseed oil may be administered. If, in the 

 course of two hours or so, no relief is thereby obtained, it may 



Fig 62. 

 The above illustration represents a trocar encased in its cannula. 



b^ as well to give half-an-ounce of aromatic spirits of ammonia 

 in a pint of warm water; or, if the ammonia is not at hand, about 

 six fluid ounces of brandy or whisky slightly diluted with warm 

 water may be administered. If the animal be very severely 

 affected, the rumen may be punctured by means of the trocar, 

 and when this is withdrawn, the cannula may be tied in the 

 wound made, and left in for even a day or more — in fact, as 



