DISEASES or THE OX AND SHEEP. 495 



— for example, about three ounces of Epsom salts dissolved in a 

 sufficient quantity of water or gruel — may be given. In cases of 

 extreme urgency, either immediate slaughter on the one hand is 

 to be recommended, or, on the other hand, the operation of 

 rumenotomy is to be performed, since this measure is the only 

 one which can be of any real service to the suffering animal. 

 The incision is to be made into the paunch on the left flank, and 

 then the contents of this receptacle for food can be mechanically 

 removed. After the cutting has been suitably carried out, the 

 edges of the incision into the rumen should be brought together, 

 and also into apposition with the flank, and then a few stitches 

 should be passed through both the rumen and the skin, so as to 

 keep the opening into the rumen in contact with the aperture 

 into the side of the animal's body. 



If there be any sign of decomposition of the matter contained 

 in the rumen, the whole of it should be removed, and thrown 

 away; but if no putrefaction is suspected, only about two-thirds 

 of the contents need be taken out. After this has been done, it 

 will be well to sponge the part with warm water and then dry 

 it, and then place upon it a piece of tow, covered with some mild 

 and efficacious ointment, and keep it fixed in position by means 

 of a bandage passed round the animal's body. In about three 

 weeks' time the wound will be found to have healed ; but for 

 many a week the sheep will not thrive very well. 



Engorgement of the rumen in oxen is a disorder which it is 

 not easy to cure. It is wise to prescribe some such draught as 

 the following : — 



Epsom salts — 16 ounces. 



Solution of aloes — 4 to 8 fluid ounces. 



Powdered ginger — 1 J ounces. 



Aromatic spirit of ammonia — IJ fluid ounces. 



The above ingredients are to be mixed with a rather lai'ge amount 

 of warm gruel, and the draught is to be given slowly and care- 

 fully by the aid of a suitable horn. This may be followed up 

 with about half a pint of linseed oil for the purpose of lubricating 

 the passages, and if there be no relief after twelve hours, the first 

 draught may be repeated ; or, better still, two pints of castor oil 

 given. Should there be any marked tympanites in addition to the 

 engorgement, the puncturing of the rumen is advisable. 

 External manipulation over the region of the rumen may be 



