112 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



compelled to use any therapeutic agents, we may give lime-water 

 (one-fourth litre every ten or fifteen minutes) ; also sulphate of 

 soda (in a dose of 15 grammes dissolved in a little water), and 

 Oroppe's remedy (a teaspoonful every quarter of an hour), or 

 essence of turpentine (a half-tablespoonful in one-eighth litre of 

 water), or kerosene oil (according to May, a half-tablespoonful in 

 an equal quantity of water). Ammonia-water (a half-tablespoonful 

 in one-fourth litre of cold water) ; we should make the same restric- 

 tions in its use as in the case of the ox. 



When meteorism develops at the same time in a large number 

 of animals of the same flock, a similar treatment would be too slow 

 and too unhandy ; in this case we advise removal of the flock 

 at once and direct it toward a stream ; the animals should be im- 

 mersed and thoroughly douched. There are some serious cases 

 where the puncture of the rumen with the trocar or bistoury is the 

 only means of averting death.^ 



In order to prevent the meat acquiring the disagreeable odor 

 which the gases of the rumen might communicate to it, in the case 

 of asphyxiated or slaughtered animals, it is advisable to open the 

 abdominal cavity at once and to expose the intestinal masses fully. 



Hurtrel d'Arboval has described a tympanites accompanied by 

 very marked convulsive movements, which is said to be common 

 in the Department of the Pyréneés-Orientales, where it is known 

 under the name of falère. It is probable that it is a case of intoxi- 

 cation by poisonous plants. 



In the pigy meteorism may happen after the ingestion of fer- 

 mentable food, such as malts containing much leaven;^ also after 

 rapid ingestion of an excess of hot whey (Yiborg), or during the 

 course of certain poisons. As the administration of medicated 

 liquids is accompanied with great dangers, we must always resort 

 to the trocar (which is also recommended by Spinola). The sub- 

 cutaneous injections of physostigmine may also be tried. 



In the dog we have observed great meteorism in certain intoxi- 

 cations (enteritis from poisoning) and in contractions of the intestine. 



^ In certain regions recourse is frequently made to an empirical treatment well 

 known to shepherds and giving good results: as soon as the animals begin to swell 

 they are given lard or butter (in doses of about 100 grammes for the ox and 20 

 grammes for the sheep). There are communities and farms where they are in the 

 habit of burying here and there a pot containing lard in the fields where the animals 

 .are exposed to meteorism; this is a precaution which may be very useful. — n. d. t. 

 5» Eberhardt: Repertor., 1876. 



