DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHKEP. 497 



portion of the contents may be taken from the rumen by the 

 hand. The operator is thus enabled to remove the accumulated 

 material, but he should not empty the organ completely. It is 

 in very many cases necessary to cast the animal, in order to 

 perform rumenotomy. 



Before closing up the wound, it is well to ascertain the state of 

 the reticulum and omasum. This operation should not be 

 delayed until an animal is well nigh exhausted, and therefore 

 unable to withstand its weakening effects. The artificially-made 

 aperture in the rumen must then be closed with carbolised catgut 

 sutures, and the edges of the wound must be inverted. The 

 muscular wound, and likewise the external one, should then be 

 closed up with metallic sutures. It is wise, if practicable, to 

 apply the carbolic acid, or corrosive sublimate, spray, when 

 operating. The wound generally heals quickly; but it is best 

 to fatten the animal for the butcher as soon as possible, since 

 the rumen frequently grows to the side. Soon after the operation, 

 a dose of cathartic medicine may be given, and for a few days 

 following, stimulating aromatics may be administered. Until 

 the rumen has quite regained its former tone, soft food alone 

 should be allowed. That which originally caused the disorder 

 should be avoided. The return to the ordinary diet should be 

 very gradual, since the malady may easily be brought on again. 



If, either after this operation or in the natural course of the 

 engorgement, inflammation should supervene, medicine must be 

 given with the view of checking the fever, and the very greatest 

 care must be exercised. In these cases purgatives cannot be 

 given, with the exception of a little oil. Enemas, however, may 

 be resorted to, as also bleeding, if it should be found necessary. 

 The abdomen should be well fomented externally. 



KUPTURE OF THE RUMEN. 



This accident sometimes occurs as a result of tympany, 

 whether it be primary or attendant upon engorgement, or it may 

 be the consequence of a wound or wounds, or due to an injury 

 received by the rumen when engorged, or to the presence of 

 irritant substances acting either chemically or mechanically. 

 Escape of the food contained may occur, and bring on the very 

 generally fatal disease called peritonitis, or indeed almost imme- 

 diate death. 



82 



