Digestive Organs of the Ox and Sheep. 
49 
chemistry come into operation, when gaseous compounds are 
eliminated from the ingesta which is contained in the first 
stomach, instead of its being therein prepared for digestion. The 
increased susceptibility of cattle to " hove/' if turned out while 
the dew is on the herbage, has led to the affection being called 
"dew-blown," ' fog-sickness," &c. Benefit not unfrequenlly 
results from the application of these popular names, for agri- 
culturists learn tliereby the necessity of keeping their oxen from 
the pastures until the sun's rays have dissipated the dewy mist of 
the previous night. 
Investigation into the nature of this disease unfolds the plan 
of successfully treating it ; and perhaps in no other instance have 
we a more convincing proof of the advantages which spring from 
the application of the science of chemistry to pathology. Hove 
is sudden in its attack, and sjieedy relief must be afforded, or 
the patient will be lost. The fermentation which the food 
undergoes is fficilitated by the heat and moisture to which it is 
exposed while in the rumen, as well as by the causes previously 
alluded to. The gaseous compounds produced by the fermenta- 
tive process vary according to its duration ; at first carbonic acid 
gas is evolved, but in a short time this product gives place to car- 
buretted hydrogen gas. We learn from this fact that the 
neutralizing agents must be selected with reference to the time 
which has elapsed since the attack. The preparations of 
ammonia, of which the aromatic spirit is the best, will effect the 
desired object at the commencement ; but these should never be 
given in a protracted case, as they would then aggravate the evil. 
'J'he carburetted hydrogen gas is effectually neutralized by 
chlorine, which agent can be easily and safely exhibited in the 
form of chlorinated lime. 
The dose of the ammonlacal compound will range from one to 
three ounces, and of the chlorinated lime from two to four 
drachms ; a small quantity of water should be added to these 
medicaments, prior to either of them being administered. No 
delay should take place in adopting the necessary treatment, or 
the patient may be lost, for death in this disease, as in choking, 
is caused by suflfocation. The inertia of the coats of the rumen, 
which has been previously described, will sometimes yield to such 
stimulants as the tincture of ginger, &c., but these remedies 
ought not to be alone depended upon, for they possess no specific 
properties to stop the fermentative process. In conjunction with 
chemical agents they may be employed with great advantage, as 
they assist in dispelling the gas by rousing into action the muscu- 
lar coat of the rumen. 
To give immediate relief in tympanitis, the operation of 
paracentesis (puncturing the rumen) is Lad recourse to, and 
VOL. IX, E 
