26 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



or sheath of the trocar is removed while gas is still forming in the 

 paunch and the left flank becomes considerably swollen it may be 

 necessary to insert it again. It is well, accordingly, to observe the 

 canula closely, and, if gas is found to be issuing from it, it should not 

 be removed. When gas issues from the canula in considerable quan- 

 tity the sound accompanying its escape renders the exact condition 

 obvious. It is occasionally necessary to keep the canula in the stom- 

 ach for several hours. When this is necessary, a piece of stout cord 

 should be passed round the neck of the canula immediately below the 

 projecting rim and then be passed round the animal's body and tied 

 in a secure knot, and a careful attendant must remain with the cow 

 during the entire period that the instrument is- in place. The rim 

 surrounding the mouth of the canula should be in contact with the 

 skin. Whenever the person in charge of the cow is satisfied that gas 

 has ceased to issue from the canula the instrument should be removed. 

 The canula is to be employed only in extreme or urgent cases, 

 though everyone who has had experience in treating indigestion in 

 cattle will realize that he has saved the lives of many animals by its 

 prompt application. When the tympanitic animal is not distressed 

 and the swelling of the flank is not great, or when the most distress- 

 ing condition has been removed by the use of the trocar, it is best to 

 resort to the administration of internal medicine. Two ounces of 

 aromatic spirits of ammonia should be given every half hour in a 

 quart of cold water, or half an ounce of chlorid of lime may be dis- 

 solved in a pint of tepid water and the dose repeated every half hour 

 until the bloating has subsided, or 1 ounce of creolin in 2 quarts of 

 tepid water may be given at one dose or carefully injected through 

 the canula directly into the paunch to inhibit fermentation and the 

 recurrent formation of gas. It is generally necessary to give a dose 

 of purgative medicine after bloating has subsided, as animals fre- 

 quently show symptoms of constipation after attacks of indigestion. 

 For this purpose 1 or 1| pounds of Glauber's salts may be used. 



CHRONIC TYMPANITES. 



Cattle, especially those which have been kept in the stable all win- 

 ter, are liable to suffer from chronic tympanites. In this form the 

 animal bloats up after feeding, but seldom swells so much as to cause 

 any alarm. The chronic form of indigestion may also follow an acute 

 attack like that previously described. This is also a symptom of 

 tuberculosis in those cases in which the lymphatic glands lying be- 

 tween the lungs are so enlarged as to press upon and partly occlude 

 the esophagus. 



Treatment.— Treatment should be preceded by a moderate dose of 

 purgative medicine : 1 pound of sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salts) 



