378 OPERATIONS ON THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



Fio. 367.— Large Trocars. 



■with the bistoury, or with the blade of a lancet. Then placing 

 the trocar perpendicularly upon the flank and into the cutaneous 

 incision, presses it against the muscles, and with his right hand 

 strikes a heavy blow on the handle of the instrument and forces 

 it into the cavity of the rumen, provided the blow has been suffi- 

 ciently heavy. The blade of the trocar is then withdrawn, the 

 canula being left in place, and the gases allowed to escape, as 

 in the operation of enterotomy. 



Incision of the rumen. — The operator, using a convex bistoury, 

 makes an incision in the middle of the left flank, beginning a little 

 below the point selected for the puncture of the rumen, and 

 measuring a length of from three to four inches, cuts through 

 and divides the entire thickness of the skin, and the walls of the 

 rumen. The hand is then introduced and employed for the re- 

 moval of the food contained in the cavity. The further cleaning 

 out of the rumen may be done vsdth a large spoon. Schaack 

 recommends the removal of only a Hmited portion of the ferment- 

 ing mass, and that the walls of the organ should not be scraped. 



"WhUe the puncture of the rumen does not require to be fol- 

 lowed by any special subsequent treatment, the wound of the in- 

 cision needs to be closed immediately after the removal of the 

 contents of the organ. This must be attended with every anti- 

 septic precaution, and the closing be done by means of the inter- 

 rupted suture. The parts should be thoroughly cleansed. Adhe- 

 sion may be promoted by the application of a wide band of ad- 

 hesive plaster placed aU round the animal, as recommended by 

 Professor Brush of the American Veterinary College. The woimd 

 of the puncture heals rapidly, while that of the incision requires 

 from a week to ten days, and if properly treated, unites by the 

 first intention, vnthout suppuration. The accidents which are 



