Kidd V. Royal Agricultural Society of England. 615 
Q. Will you explain liow that is? — A. Sometimes from an ovcrgorged 
stomach tympanitis will arise, and sometimes by fermentation of the food par- 
taken of — sometimes by the food partaken of. 
I Mr. Justice Blackburn : Are you saying fermentation as a separate thing 
from these ? You said sometimes it was from an overgorged stomach, and 
) sometimes from fermentation from the food partaken of. Do I understand you 
i as putting the fermentation as a separate cause from the food partaken of, 
or as merely a thing that accompanies it? — A. Separate. 
Mr. Cave : An overgorged stomach, I suppose, arises from taking too much 
-J. Yes. 
Q. Fermentation — what does that arise from ? — A. It \vill arise from the 
sioiuach of the cow not performing its proper fimction. 
Q. And what is that caused by ? — A. Various causes. 
Q. Will j'ou mention some of them? — A. I have known cases arise from 
ibe animals having pieces of wire or pins or needles in the stomach. 
Q. Then you also spoke of it as arising from the food partaken of? — 
A. Yes._ 
Q. Will you explain in what cases that is? — A. By having tiu-nips or 
wurzcls or potatoes, or from any vegetable matter. 
Q. Under what circumstances does the food bring about tympanitis? — 
A. By the fermentation and disengagement of gases. 
Q. 1 understand that, but I want to know under what circumstances — when 
would the food bring that on ? — A. Well, it might arise almost at any time. 
Q. Do you find a change of diet have anj' effect ? — A. Yes, frequently. 
Q. Can you give me instances in which change of diet has brought on 
tympanitis ? — A. I have known several — from eating potatoes, or from eating 
turnip-tops, or wurzcl-tops, or wiirzels themselves — from eating clover. 
Q. Does it occur more frequently in stall-fed cattle, or in cattle in the 
fields? — A. In stall-fed cattle. 
Q. Xow, with regard to stall-fed cattle, are they more subject to it when 
a change of food takes place ? — A. Decidedly so. 
Q. The ordinary remedy is to make an incision in the flank, I believe, is it 
not ? — A. That is not my practice. 
I, Q. What is it ? — A. Either to put down the probang to relieve ths gas — 
' Q. That is a hollow tube which allows the gas tx* escape? — A. Yes — to give 
medicines that would neutralize the gas, or to puncture the rumen with a 
trochar through the side 
Mr. Justice^ Blackbubx: You say either medicine to neutralize the gas, or 
to puncture the rumen [through tho side ? — A. Yes, my Lord. 
Q. That is what I imderstood Mr. Cave to ask you first, but I dare say it 
was the use of the word " flank " that made the difl'erence. 
Mr. Cave : Is the administering of oil the proper thing to do ? — A. Yes. 
Q. At what stage ? — A. It is very frequently given in the first stage by 
some people. 
Q. For what purpose ? — A. W^ell, I cannot tell you : it seems to have a 
wonderful effect in allaying the gases — it is the same as pouring oil upon 
water. 
Q. Would it be proper to give it at a time when the tongue was out and the 
animal was apparently struggling for breath. — A. It would not be my practice. 
Q. Would you think it proper ? — A. By no means. 
Q. Do you find highly-bred cattle more or less predisposed to disease than 
ordinary cattle? — A. I believe they are more predisposed. 
Q. Do you agree with what Mr. Holmes has said with reference to the cause 
of death in this case, with reference to the change of food ? — A. I do. 
II 
