104 Veterinary Medicine. 



tiseptic. Other alkalies — carbonate of potash or soda, or lime 

 water may be given freely. 



Among agents that act more exclusively as antiseptics may be 

 named : muriatic acid i to i^ drs. largely diluted in water : 

 carbolic acid, creosote or creolin, 4 drs. largely diluted ; sulphite, 

 hypo-sulphite or bisulphite of soda 1 oz ; kerosene oil }& pint ; 

 chloride of lime 4 drs. ; chlorine water 1 pint ; wood tar 2 oz. 

 The latter agent is a common domestic remedy in some places 

 being given wrapped in a cabbage leaf, and causing the flank to 

 flatten down in a very few minutes as if by magic. The extra- 

 ordinarily rapid action of various antiseptics is the most conclu- 

 sive answer to the claim that the disorder is a pure paresis of the 

 walls of the rumen. The affection is far more commonly and 

 fundamentally an active fermentation, and is best checked by a 

 powerful antiferment. Even chloride of sodium (j4 lb.) and 

 above all hypochlorite of soda or lime {% oz.) may be given 

 with advantage in many cases. 



Among agents which condense the gasses may be named 

 ammonia, calcined magnesia, and milk of lime for carbon dioxide, 

 and chlorine water for hydrogen. 



Among agents used to rouse the torpid rumen and alimentary 

 canal are eserine (ox 3 grs., sheep J^ gr. subcutem), pilocarpin 

 (ox 2 grs., sheep \ gr.), barium chloride (ox 15 grs., sheep 

 3 to 4 grs.), tincture of colchicum (ox 3 to 4 drs. ). Trasbot 

 mentions lard or butter (ox 4 oz., sheep % oz.), as in common 

 use in France. 



In the most urgent cases, however, relief must be obtained by 

 puncture of the rumen, as a moment's delay may mean death. 

 The seat for such puncture is on the left side, at a point equi- 

 distant from the outer angle of the ilium, the last rib and the 

 transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae. Any part of the 

 left flank might be adopted to enter the rumen, but, if too low 

 down, the instrument might plunge into solid ingesta, which 

 would hinder the exit of gas, and would endanger the escape of 

 irritant liquids into the peritoneal cavity. In an extra high 

 puncture there is less danger, though a traumatism of the spleen 

 is possible under certain conditions. The best instrument for the 

 purpose is a trochar and cannula of six inches long and yi to yi 

 inch in diameter. (For sheep % inch is ample.) This instru- 



