95 



gases takes place, which may even distend the stomach till it ruptures. 

 Colicky, griping pains may be present ; but occasionally cases are met 

 with when no such symptoms are shown, the animal standing quite 

 still, hanging its head, blowing fast, and having its stomach greatly 

 distended. If this is not quickly relieved, the mechanical pressure 

 of the gas may cause death by suffocation. Treatment : In such cases, 

 at the commencement, one or two ounces of bicarbonate of soda 

 should be given in a pint of water, with half a pint of whisky ; this 

 may neutralize the gas, and give the stomach a fillip as well ; or two to 

 four ounces hypo-sulphite of soda dissolved in one pint of cold water, 

 given with two ounces of essence of ginger has a good effect. Should 

 this not give relief, then the gas will have to be drawn off with a fine 

 trocar and caniila (Plate LI., No. 5) which has to be passed in, on either 

 side (preferably the right), between the last rib and haunch ; on the 

 trocar being removed, the gas escapes through the cannla, giving 

 instantaneous relief. This operation should be done by a professional 

 man. 



244. Rupture of the Stomach. — This fatal lesion is occasionally 

 the result of some of the causes named in the preceding paragraph (No. 

 243), and may take place with or without inflammation. In old 

 subjects it is thought to be due to degeneration of the walls of the 

 stomach, but one of the principal causes is when the stomach is much 

 distended with gas from fermentation of the food, and the patient 

 throws itself about, as in colic. When the rupture takes place, there 

 is a sudden and great prostation of the animal, breathing is short and 

 quick, nostrils are dilated, a cold clammy perspiration bedews the 

 body, accompanied by trembling and quivering of the muscles, 

 particularly of the fore limbs, heavy sighs, and seeming fear to move, in 

 fact the animal stands obstinately until it drops and dies. Sometimes 

 volumes of gas are to be seen regurgitating up the gullet towards the 

 mouth, and in some cases there is an attempt to vomit, but I have met 

 with several cases where both regurgitation of gas and vomiting have 

 been seen without any rupture, and the cases have recovered. When 

 rupture takes place, nothing can be done ; the great point is to try to 

 prevent it. First and foremost try judicous feeding, then, when cases 



