DISEASES OP THE OX AND SHEEP. 487 



long as any signs of the ailment are exhibited. The instrument 

 may be plunged into the left side with judgment, and the correct 

 point for the operation is situated at an equal distance from the 

 hip bone, the last rib, and the lateral processes of the spinal 

 column. 



The shepherd should be provided with a small trocar and 

 two cannulse. The cannula may be plunged into the hole made 

 in the flank, and then retained in its position by means of a 

 string passed round the animal, or held there by the hand until 

 the gas has been set free. After the operation is over, the rumen 

 soon heals up again. In former times sheep afflicted with this 

 disorder were treated very barbarously and cruelly. 



CHRONIC TYMPANITES OR HOVEN, OBSTRUCTION 

 OF THE GULLET AND CHOKING. 



We have just spoken of acute tympanites, its causes and 

 symptoms, and of the fearful distress it occasions oxen. Before 

 leaving this subject, we must speak of the chronic form of this 

 malady so commonly met with. The causes of the chronic 

 form of tympanites or hoven are pretty much the same as those 

 of the acute variety. But, no matter what food be given, chronic 

 hoven is apt to recur at frequent intervals, owing no doubt in 

 great measure to the dilated condition of the walls of the 

 paunch, which are unable to contract on the food ingested. The 

 treatment of such cases as these is, as a rule, not attended with 

 much difficulty. 



After a moderate purgative has been given, vegetable tonics 

 administered twice daily are most likely to be serviceable. Two 

 ounces of powdered gentian, one ounce of ginger, and one ounce 

 of fenugreek may be given in three gills of warm water or ale 

 twice daily, and this treatment may be continued for several days, 

 as may be indicated. When the appetite is bad, two drachms of 

 powdered carbonate of ammonium may be added to each drench. 

 Powdered nux vomica in doses of half a drachm is also a very 

 useful addition in these cases, where the digestion is very 

 sluggish. 



Hyposulphite of sodium and sulpho-carbolate of sodium owe 

 their value in cases of acute and chronic hoven to the powers 

 they possess in inhibiting the fermentative process in the foods 



