612 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



In regard to treatment, if the patient be a full-grown ox, the 

 best plan is to give an efficient dose of cathartic medicine (such 

 as sixteen ounces of Epsom salts), and enemas may be also 

 tried. If the patient be a very plethoric animal, blood may be 

 abstracted by the veterinary surgeon. In addition., a useful 

 draught may be made of aromatic spirit of ammonia (two fluid 

 ounces), and of tincture of opium (two fluid ounces). If no 

 relief is obtained, this drench may be repeated within about an 

 hour and a half. Again, we may give at intervals of four hours 

 a draught composed of oil of turpentine (half a fluid ounce), 

 of tincture of opium (one and a half fluid ounces), of spirit of 

 nitrous ether (two fluid ounces). 



The small intestines are sometimes affected in sheep. For 

 instance, at times there may be some reason to suspect colic in 

 lambs, especially in those which are immaturely forced on for 

 the winter house-lamb market by being crammed with the milk 

 of two ewes, and occasionally with cow's milk, as well as that of 

 their mothers. When afflicted with colic, the animal exhibits 

 signs of uneasiness, moans, rises up and lies down again, and 

 strikes the belly with the hind foot. The grass lamb, taken 

 from its dam, may at first be apt to feed upon acrid and half- 

 poisonous herbage as well as on that which is wholesome, and it 

 also is subject to colic. It may be advisable to administer a 

 drench, made up of an ounce of Epsom salts, together with two 

 drachms of ginger and twenty minims of the essence of pepper- 

 mint. If the pain is not relieved, a second drench, composed 

 of two ounces of Epsom salts may be given, and warm gruel 

 may also be administered. 



Flatulent Colic. 

 Flatulent colic among oxen is likewise of infrequent occur- 

 rence. The symptoms, though not so severe, are, on the other 

 hand, more continuous, being due to the disengagement of 

 gases, as is seen by gaseous eructations, and so on. Some- 

 times there may be a distension of the right side of the 

 belly. As in so many other cases, it is best to give in the first 

 instance a full dose of physic, and then to cause the animal to 

 walk a little up and down, and in the intervals of repose to rub 

 the animal's right side. Enemas should be administered, and 

 manual exploration of the rectum is advisable. A draught of 



