26- DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



directed downward, inward, and slightly forward, is thrust into the 

 paunch. (PI. I.) The sheath of the trocar should be left in the 

 paunch so long as any gas continues to issue from it. If the cannula 

 or sheath of the trocar is removed while gas is still forming in the 

 paunch and the left flank becomes considerably swollen, it may be 

 necessary to insert it again. It is well, accordingly, to observe the 

 cannulaclosely, and, if gasisfound to be issuing from it, it should not 

 be removed. Wlien gas issues from the cannula in considerable quan- 

 tity the sound accompanying its escape renders the exact condition 

 obvious. It is occasionally necessary to keep the cannula in the stom- 

 ach for several hours. When this is necessary, a piece of stout cord 

 should be passed round the neck of the cannula immediately below the 

 projecting rim and then be passed round the animal's body and tied 

 in a secure knot, and a careful attendant must remain with the cow 

 during the entire period that the instrument is in place. The rim 

 surrounding the mouth of the cannula should be in contact with the 

 skin. Wlienever the person in charge of the cow is satisfied that gas has 

 ceased to issue from the cannula, the instrument should be removed. 

 The cannula is to be employed only in extreme or urgent cases, 

 though everyone who has had experience in treating indigestion in 

 cattle will realize that he has saved the lives of many animals by its 

 prompt application. When the tympanitic animal is not distressed 

 and the swelling of the flank is not great, or when the most distress- 

 ing condition has been removed by the use of the trocar, it is best to 

 resort to the administration of internal medicine. Two ounces of 

 aromatic spirits of ammonia should be given every half hour in a 

 quart of cold water, or half an ounce of chlorid of lime may be dis- 

 solved in a pint of tepid water and the dose repeated every half hour 

 until the bloating has subsided, or 1 ounce of creolin in 2 quarts of 

 tepid water may be given at one dose or carefully injected through 

 the cannula directly into the paunch to inhibit fermentation and the 

 recurrent formation of gas. It is generally necessary to give a dose 

 of purgative medicine after bloating has subsided, as animals fre- 

 quently show symptoms of constipation after attacks of indigestion. 

 For this purpose 1 or 1^ pounds of Glauber's salt may be used. 



CHRONIC TYMPANITES. 



Cattle, especially those which have been kept in the stable all 

 winter, are liable to suffer from chronic tympanites. In this form 

 the animal bloats up after feeding, but seldom swells so much as to 

 cause any alarm. The chronic form of indigestion may also follow 

 an acute attack like that previously described. This is also a symp- 

 tom of tuberculosis in those cases in which the lymphatic glands 

 lying between the lungs are so enlarged as to press upon and partly 

 occlude the esophagus. 



