100 THE FARMER'S 



edto, they sometimes eat so greedily, that the stom- 

 ach is incapable of contracting, or forcing back its 

 contents into the mouth. When this happens, the 

 food undergoes a kind of fermentation, in conse- 

 quence of which a great deal of air is generated, and 

 the paunch so excessively extended, that, if the 

 annual is not relieved, it will either burst or destroy 

 him by suffocation. An instrument has been in- 

 vented by Mr. Eager, for giving vent to the con- 

 fined air, which is very simple and appears to have 

 answered the purpose completely. It consists of a 

 cane six feet in length, with a round knob of wood, 

 perfectly secured at one end. An assistant is to lay 

 hold of the cow's horn with one hand, and the part 

 which divides the nostrils with the other. The op- 

 erator is to take the tongue in his left hand, and 

 with his right he is to force the instrument down 

 the gullet. As soon as it enters the paunch a great 

 deal of air will rush out. The instrument may re- 

 main in the stomach, without injuring the animal, 

 until the air is perfectly evacuated. 



" It sometimes happens that the distention of the 

 paunch takes place so suddenly, and in so danger- 

 ous a degree, that no time is allowed for using the 

 instrument; in this case a sharp ported pen-knife 

 may be plunged into the paunch through the skin, 

 by which the confined air will immediately escape. 

 There is no difficulty or danger in the operation; 

 nor is any other instrument required than a sharp 

 pointed pen-knife. Should the opening be plug- 

 ged up with the contents of the paunch, they may 

 be removed, or the orifice kept open with a prode 

 or feather. When all the air h^ escaped, let the 

 wound be closed with any kind of sticking plaister, 

 or pitch. This opening is to bemade on the left 



