292 Diseases of Cattle, 



measure, they can generally be relieved by some of the stimu- 

 lants given below. After the severe symptoms are relieved, 

 a strong purgative is to be prescribed, such as : — v 



No. 323. Epsom salts, i lb. 



Croton oil, ^ 20 drops. 



Linseed oil, 1 pint. 



Mix. 



In cases where the swelling is from over feeding, and the 

 rumen is crammed with solid matters — which is easily recog- 

 nized by its doughy feel and solid sound on percussion — it is 

 often necessary to empty it before any medicines can take 

 effect. The best method of performing this operation is as 

 follows : 



Fasten the animal by its nose, with its right side to the 

 wall ; then plunge a sharp bistoury into the rumen, begin- 

 ning midway between the last rib and the spine of the haunch 

 bone, and from four to six inches from the back bone, cutting 

 downward until the opening is large enough to admit the 

 hand. Then run a stitch through from the skin to the inner 

 part of the stomach at the lower portion of the cut, so that 

 the contents of the stomach may not escape into the cavity of 

 the abdomen. Turn out with the hand these contents^ 

 Clean the edges of the wound thoroughly. Sew up first the 

 coats of the stomach, turning the edges in ; and next the 

 outer w^ound in the usual manner. Apply a stiff pitch plas- 

 ter over the wound, and feed the animal on small quantities 

 of slops for a few days. 



Of medicines, Mr. Dun recommends turpentine, in small 

 and repeated doses, as half an ounce every fifteen minutes, 

 until four ounces are taken. Mr. Gamgee prefers assa- 

 fcetida : — 



No. 324. Assafoetida, ^ oz. 



Linseed oil, 1 pt. 



Mix for a drench. 



