THE OX AND THE DAIRY. 231 



or six quarts of water. Let the medicines be given slowly 

 and gradually, or they will pass into the paunch, and pro- 

 duce no effect, but by giving them gently and gradually they 

 pass into the fourth stomach. When the bowels begin to act 

 freely, then recourse must be had to that powerful anti- 

 spasmodic, opium. A drachm or a drachm and a half of the 

 powdered opium, suspended in gum-water, or linseed-tea, 

 may be given twice or three times a day. Still the action of 

 the bowels must be kept up by doses of salts, sulphur, and 

 ginger, and a seton may be introduced into the dewlap. 

 During this time the back, loins, neck, and head, should be 

 covered with sheepskins, or thick rugs, to induce perspiration : 

 and the jaws and neck often rubbed with a stimulating em- 

 brocation, as spirit of turpentine, camphorated oil, ammonia, 

 and laudanum. Some persons have recommended the pouring 

 of cold water over the body by means of buckets, the stream 

 being continued for a considerable time ; but we doubt the 

 benefit of such treatment. 



We have drawn up a favourable case ; we have supposed 

 the bleeding to have relaxed the muscles of the jaws, and the 

 purgatives to have operated effectually. 



But suppose the most profuse bleeding has not caused the 

 relaxation of the jaws ; it has been repeated, but the spas- 

 modic condition of the muscles remains. The case is hopeless. 



Suppose the medicines take no effect. In this case we 

 may conjecture very safely that the draughts have passed 

 into the paunch, and remain there inert. The most direct 

 method is to have recourse to the stomach-pump, if it can be 

 applied. The tube must be passed down the gullet, into the 

 paunch, or rumen, and warm water be injected into that 

 compartment till it overflows ; the contents will then either 

 be discharged by the action of vomiting, or they will pass 

 through the third and fourth stomachs into the intestines, and 

 the desired purgative effect will ensue. If the contents of 

 the stomach be rejected, the aperient medicines must be 

 again resorted to. 



We are quite aware that all these plans are more easily 

 directed than put into practice. The stomach-pump for 

 cattle is not in the possession of every farmer, the fleam is 

 mislaid or lost, there are no medicines to be obtained im- 

 mediately, none perhaps are kept on the farm, and the 

 nearest veterinary surgeon is absent: under these circum- 

 stances what is to be done ? Bleed, and bleed freely ; a sharp 



