i^uiTrniKxr ArcrLKXY—rrKni'KHAL ci'Lljj'sk. nr.: 



most effective and rapid in their action when given in the fluid form, if 

 the animal can swallow. If it cannot, then they may be administered 

 by means of the stomach-pump or proban^', or even in bolus. \Villiams 

 reconnnends giving carbonate of ammonia in bolus ; the hand, being well 

 oiled, is to be pushed as far as possible into the pharynx, when the dose 

 " will slowly gravitate into the rumen." Should the medicine not act 

 promptly, or the tympanitis be so great that suffocation is to be appre- 

 hended, then the rumen ought to be punctured without delay. This 

 may be effected by the ordinary trocar and cannula, the latter being 

 allowed to remain in the rumen for some time. It may be closed by a 

 cork, which is to be withdrawn when the gas accumulates. If care is 

 exercised, fluid medicaments may be introduced into the stomach through 

 the cannula. 



Even when the tympanitis is not extreme, but the animal is comatose 

 and there is gastric regurgitation, it will be advisable to puncture the 

 rumen ; as by this means the entrance of food into the trachea may be 

 prevented, by allowing the gases to escape through the cannula, instead 

 of by the oesophagus. 



Enemas are as essential as counter-irritation. The rectum should 

 first be emptied manually, and then either enemas of warm water, or 

 those of a stinmlant or laxative nature, administered. By the rectum 

 enemas of linseed-oil, common salt, sulphate of soda or magnesia, aloes, 

 tobacco, oil of turpentine, camphor, etc., have been administered. The 

 rectum forms a safe and convenient channel for the introduction of 

 medicines, and especially those intended to act upon the torpid digestive 

 organs, when the animal can no longer swallow. Powdered camphor in 

 small quantities has even been introduced into the rectum to stimulate 

 the intestines, when drugs exhibited by the mouth have failed to etTect 

 this. Knemas may be given as frequently as necessary without danger to 

 the animal, and with ease — advantages not available by mouth adminis- 

 tration. 



The urine should be frequently removed from the bladder, either by 

 pressure on the viscus through the rectum, the introduction of the 

 catheter or nozzle of the ordinary injection syringe into the urethra, or 

 even by passing the finger into that canal. 



As has been mentioned, the milk should be often removed, and the 

 udder completely emptied. Even when there is no milk, the teats should 

 be well and repeatedly stripped. 



runjativcs are in nearly every case necessary (though some authori- 

 ties deny this), and they should be active, and given in larger doses 

 than in ordinary circumstances; constipation being a constant and 

 serious symptom, while action of the bowels may be considered a most 

 favourable sign. The most common are sulphate of magnesia or soda, 

 aloes, chloride of sodium, cream of tartar, linseed-oil, castor-oil, tartar 

 emetic, ipecacuanha, croton-oil, etc. 



In the great majority of instances these agents are not given alone, 

 but in combination with other substances. 



A very favourite compound in Germany is that mentioned by Kohne, 

 the composition of which is as follows : 



Nux vomica - - - - 8^ drams. 

 Tartar emetic - ... 2 ounces. 

 Sulphate of soda - - - l.S ,, 



Common salt - - - - 4^ ,, 



42 



