T*HE OX AND THE DAIRY. 237 



drawing in and swallowing a great quantity of air ; they may 

 be readily relieved by the introduction of a tube or probang. 



DISTENTION OF THE EUMEN WITH FOOD. 



It is not always easy to discriminate between distention of 

 the rumen with food, and hoove. In both cases the abdomen 

 and flanks are distended, but, in the former, the left flank 

 feels hard and firm, and is less protuberant than in hoove, 

 and these particulars being taken into consideration with the 

 character of the food recently swallowed, will generally lead 

 the farmer or practitioner to form a correct opinion. Never- 

 theless the probang and tube should be always used, lest there 

 be gas in the stomach, and even if there be none, the instru- 

 ment will serve to indicate the extent to which the rumen is 

 filled. 



This disease generally occurs in stalled cattle fed upon 

 unboiled potatoes, uncrushed oats, and other indigestible 

 materials. It is termed by farmers grain-sick, or maw-bound. 



If the stomach be not relieved, inflammation comes on, and 

 the animal dies ; and, in severe cases, prompt measures are 

 necessary, for the pressure on the diaphragm, and the conse- 

 quent oppression of the heart and lungs, are soon followed by 

 insensibility and death. 



At all times it is desirable to know the exact nature of the 

 food swallowed, for this may require some modification of the 

 plan of relief to be pursued; indeed, if the rumen be dis- 

 tended with hard heavy materials, as potatoes, an operation 

 may be imperatively demanded. 



Should the case be not severe, the animal may be made to 

 move about; and a drench be given, composed of carmina- 

 tives and aperients, followed by other doses at intervals, till 

 the medicine operates: injections should be also administered, 

 and it may be advisable to take away some blood. After the 

 action of the aperients, the process of rumination may be ex- 

 cited by cordials. In severer cases the animal will not be able 

 to move, and must not be disturbed ; indeed the difficulty of 

 respiration forbids any measures but those tending to im- 

 mediate relief. Supposing that the stomach be distended by 

 light materials, as wheat-chaff, chopped straw, and the like, 

 the contents may be extricated by means of the stomach- 

 pump, a quantity of water being first thrown in, and then 

 immediately pumped out, when some of the matter will be 

 returned with it: this process may be repeated. It may 



