IMPACTION OF BUMEN. 177 



mal swallows a large quantity of moist herbage, the paunch 

 may be filled to repletion, and the distention increase, from a 

 process of fermentation setting up within the mass. 



Various kinds of grain and bran are apt to induce this 

 condition, and it is noticed to develop more slowly than hove, 

 the symptoms being very similar but not so urgent. The 

 means of recognising one disease from the other is afforded by 

 the absence of the drum-like sound on striking the flank in a 

 case of impaction, and the manner in which the impression 

 of the fist is left on pushing the rumen inwards. The pulse 

 is small, frequent, and often feeble ; rumination is suspended, 

 and if the probang is passed, or the trochar used, no gas 

 escapes. In the same way, if draughts are given of ammonia 

 or ether, little effect follows, and the contents of the rumen 

 require then to be removed mechanically. 



The removal of large masses of food from the rumen is so 

 often practised by non -professional persons, that I think it 

 desirable they should have a few words of caution about 

 the matter. The method of operating is as follows : Place 

 the animal with its right side against a wall, and have it 

 tirmly held by the nose ; measure a point midway between 

 the last rib and -haunch bone and about a span from the 

 spine. A sharp carving-knife is the best instrument for the 

 purpose, and this may be plunged at once into the cavity, 

 and made to open the incision about five or six inches down- 

 wards in the act of removing it. It is then that the opera- 

 tor requires dexterously to lay hold of the lips of the wound 

 in the stomach and walls of the belly, to prevent any food 

 passing into the cavity of the latter. For this purpose a 

 suture may be passed through each lip of the double wound, 

 and a handkerchief or cloth carried in. The hand is then the 

 best instrument to evacuate the paunch. Some food had 

 better be left in the lower pouches. It will be found occa- 



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