CHAP. I.] TREATMENT OF A FALLEN ANIMAL. 259 



seldom having the strength to get upon its legs 

 again. Bundles of straw should be placed for the 

 afflicted animal to roll upon, and his head pressed 

 down with the hand whilst the severest paroxyms 

 expend their forces. When at length he gets up 

 — which may be considered a favourable sign, that 

 proves his strength is not wholly subdued — he may 

 be supported into a stable. Mean time, however, 

 an examination of the rectum must take place, and 

 the manual operation of emptying it be employed — 

 if need be ; that, is to say if hardened dung should 

 be accumulated there. At any rate, water-gruel in 

 large quantities must be prepared, as well for ad- 

 ministering by way of clyster as of drench ; in both, 

 giving it now without the addition of salt, and in 

 the latter manner nearly cold. By these means 

 the alarming symptoms will diminish greatly ; but 

 if there is still reason to apprehend that obstruction 

 may prevail in the larger intestines, this must be got 

 rid of by means of the oily laxative prescribed at 

 page 257, and the repetition of clysters in quantities, 

 and administered with a vigour sufficient, to reach 

 the evil. 



Bleeding, of course, would be adopted, to the 

 amount of four, five, or six quarts, according to the 

 exigency of the case and the size of the- animal. If 

 the blood become buffed, as it is called by some, or 

 shy on the surface, a second blood-letting is neces- 

 sary to complete the cure. Low, but nourishing 

 diet, should follow; as bran- mashes, stiff gruel, and 

 afterwards sodden corn ; the return to hay pro- 



