238 THE OX AND THE DAIRY. 



happen, however, that the tube of the stomach-pump becomes 

 stopped up by the chaff, and the action of the machine im- 

 peded. Under such circumstances success has followed the 

 injection of water into the rumen, until it begins to react 

 upon its contents, and discharge them by vomiting. When 

 this ceases, carminative aperients must be given, and repeated 

 till the bowels work freely. The drenches must be aided by 

 clysters. The recovery of an animal in cases of this nature is 

 generally slow ; it is long before the stomach regains its tone, 

 and a healthy appetite returns ; this should be remembered 

 with reference to the diet, which ought to be restricted, and 

 consist in a great measure of gruel. 



In cases when the stomach is gorged to the full with solid 

 heavy food, as undigested potatoes, unaltered grain, and simi- 

 lar materials, which no stomach-pump can remove, or efforts 

 in vomiting throw off, while approaching dissolution threatens, 

 one plan is yet left, viz. a bold operation. A free incision of 

 about five inches long must be made through the left flank 

 into the rumen ; a rush of the more fluid contents will im- 

 mediately take place, and after the stream has subsided the 

 operator must introduce his hand, and carefully remove all 

 the solid masses of food, and empty the paunch completely. 

 Great care, however, must be taken that no food escapes from 

 the paunch into the abdomen, and the wound must be sewed 

 up. This is a dangerous operation, less perhaps from the in- 

 cision into the rumen, which will bear severe treatment with 

 comparative impunity, than from the escape of food into the 

 abdomen, and the inflammation it will necessarily engender, 

 which will certainly prove fatal. 



LOSS OF CUD. 



Loss of cud not only proceeds from the causes to which we 

 have just alluded, but is often a marked symptom in other 

 complaints, and may be taken as a sure evidence of disorder 

 of the digestive organs. In severe inflammatory diseases 

 rumination is generally suspended, as well as in states of con- 

 stitutional debility and prostration of strength. In the former 

 case the stomach will recover its powers as the animal im- 

 proves ; in the latter case the restoration of the strength by 

 tonics, as gentian, is required, and cordials, with gentle aperi- 

 ents, may be also given ; as four ounces of salts, one ounce of 

 powdered gentian, and half an ounce of ginger, with a little 

 ale and gruel, every other morning. 



