TYMPANITES, OR FLATULENT COLIC. 501 



with one half pint of water, and give as a drench. If the patient is no better In one 

 hour, repeat, and, if constipated, use warm water injections. 



"Flatulent colic, treatment the same as above. In the early stage, if aftei 

 about half an hour the patient seems no better, give two ounces of essential harts 

 horn in w ( ater, with warm water enema. If by this time there is no flatus, or break- 

 ing of wind, and the animal's abdomen or belly is very much distended, and is belch- 

 ing up air out of the nostrils, and commences to tremble in his legs, an operation will 

 have to be performed. Take a lance or knife and make a slight incision through 

 the skin on the right flank, (the ox is always punctured on the left flank, and the 

 horse on the right,) at a point where the tympanitic sound is most marked. As a 

 rule, this point is midway between the edge of the last rib and the hip bone, and 

 about six inches from the lateral processes of the spine — abdut where the cross mark 

 is on Fig. 822. Take trocar and canula, put the point into the incision previously I 

 made with the knife. Direct the instrument inward, slightly downward and for- 

 ward, -and hit it a sharp blow with the flat of the hand to send the instrument 

 through to the hilt. Now draw out the trocar, when the gas will escape. When the 

 escape of gas has ceased, put a finger over the opening of the canula to prevent the 

 air from filling in, and withdraw. "When withdrawn, rub slightly with the finger 

 over the wound, and leave it alone. Before performing the operation, give four 

 ounces of vegetable charcoal which has been kept dry, mixed with one quart of 



Fib. 821. — Trocar and Canula. 



milk. The horse will have instant relief after the operation. If he remains quiet, 

 feed nothing for about twelve hours. Give flaxseed tea to drink. , After the expira- 

 tion of this time, feed bran mashes, with oatmeal or ground oats, and continue from 

 four to six days, when the animal will be well. When there is no hope by medicine, 

 this operation is the only treatment that promises success. Should the horse be un- 

 easy after the operation, give one of the balls used for inflammation of the bowels, 

 which should be repeated once in from four to six hours until quiet. 



During the warm months Dr. Meyer usually performs this oper- 

 ation from twenty-five to thirty times, to save life. His loss is about 

 one in ten. 



I would addthat during my experience in Buffalo, I had no oc- 

 casion to perform this operation, the treatment given proving in 

 every instance effective. This operation, according to standard 

 authorities, has been regarded as seldom successful. I think the 

 reason is that the case has been allowed to go too. long before re- 

 sorting to it. In a conversation with Dr. Meyer in relation to it, he 

 stated that he regarded it as very valuable treatment, enabling him 

 to cure a large proportion of cases which otherwise would be beyond 

 help. As it may in some cases be found necessary to perform this 

 operation, I give a diagram of the body, showing the location of the 



