CARE AND FEEDING OF DAIRY CATTLE. 51 



by a dose of raw linseed-oil and turpentine. Up to 3 pints of linseed-oil may be 

 given to a cow in pint doses, with 2 or 3 tablespoonfuls of turpentine added. Some 

 authorities recommend 300 c.c. (slightly more than % pint) of a 4-per-cent. solution 

 of formalin. Tying a wooden gag in the mouth is also effective, the movements of 

 the tongue causing the gas to escape. 



If the animal is near suffocation, the paunch must be stabbed into to let the gas 

 escape. A knife may be used, but a trocar and canula is better, the hollow sheath 

 remaining in the wound to allow the free escape of the gas. The point to be stabbed 

 is midway between the last rib, the hip-bone, and the backbone, on the left side, in 

 the middle of the space which is quite hollow when the cow is in health. The skin 

 is first slit for about an inch. The paunch-wall is just underneath, and a bold stab 

 must be made right into it. A dose of 1 to 1} Ib. Epsom salts or a quart of linseed- 

 oil may then be given. 



Some experienced cattlemen cure cases of bloating in a few minutes by inserting 

 a piece of oiled rubber hose in the throat, pushing it down gently until the gas 

 escapes. 



CHOKING. 



Bloating may be due to choke. A root, apple, or potato may lodge in the 

 entrance to the gullet or lower down. If the bloating is serious, it may be necessary 

 to use the trocar and canula as described for bloat, because no medicine can be given 

 until the obstruction in the gullet is removed. The foreign body may sometimes be 

 reached and removed by hand if high up. When lodged lower down its location 

 may often be seen and felt, and it may be dislodged by gentle rubbing in every 

 direction. If this is not successful, or if the obstruction is lower down and cannot 

 be felt, pass an oiled %-inch rubber hose down the gullet until it reaches the mass, 

 then press gently downwards. Small quantities of linseed-oil may be poured through 

 the hose to help matters. Rough methods of breaking or pressing down the obstruc- 

 tion must not be used; they will injure or rupture the gullet, and these injuries will 

 likely prove fatal. 



IMPACTION OF THE STOMACH. 



This disease is slow in showing itself. A little loss of appetite and dullness 

 occur, with some grunting or groaning and perhaps distension of the belly. The 

 dung is very deceptive, as it may pass away in a thin stream. The bowels are coated 

 with walls of hardened material, with a liquid lane running between. The tempera- 

 ture will rise, and the condition of the animal will become very serious. Both 

 linseed-oil and Epsom salts can be given in repeated doses the same as for bloating, 

 until the hardened fpecal matter comes away. Sometimes this disease is caused by 

 the animals eating indigestible objects, such as old clothes or boots. Such a case Is 

 difficult to cure. It indicates a lack of some mineral element in the food. Some 

 cases are caused by cows swallowing pieces of hay-wire. 



PINK-EYE. 



This is a contagious disease of the eyes, occurring usually in late summer. The 

 eyes discharge and are inflamed. Later the eyes become opaque, and the animal 

 cannot see. The patient should be kept in a dark place, fed lightly, and the eyes 

 washed twice daily with a boracic-acid solution (1 dram in 4 oz. of water). This 

 is applied with a syringe. 



FOOT-ROT. 



This is a contagious inflammation that occurs between the toes and may extend 

 above the hoof. The animal limps and there is swelling of the part. The odour is 

 offensive. This is easily treated if taken early. The cleft of the hoof should be 

 well cleaned by drawing through it a rope or rag ' saturated with disinfectant, 

 undiluted. If there is much swelling, bran or flax-seed poultices should be applied. 

 This disease is often induced by failure to trim the overgrown hoofs of cattle. 



