262 
Observations on the Disease of the Cow, 
With reference to the exhibition of stimulants it must be 
borne in mind that one of the earliest symptoms after the animal 
falls is the rapid fermentation of the ingesta in the rumen, pro- 
ducing that distended state of the abdomen before alluded to. 
This condition of the rumen adds greatly to the animal's suf- 
ferings, being accompanied with painful eructations. The 
gaseous matter evolved from the fermenting ingesta practically 
consists of carbonic anhydride, to neutralise which ammonia is 
required. Aromatic spirit of ammonia, in one-ounce to two- 
ounce doses, with a somewhat larger quantity of tincture of 
ginger, should be given, and repeated according to circum- 
stances. The tympany may also be relieved, and indeed should 
be, by occasionally passing the tube of the stomach-pump into 
the rumen, thus mechanically effecting the removal of the 
gaseous matter. This procedure will not unfrequently be bene- 
ficial in another and no less important way, for by it ingesta 
will be detected in the oesophagus, which by moderate pressure, 
as in cases of choking, can be thrust back into the rumen, 
affording considerable relief to the animal. 
The list of stimulating tinctures and mixtures which are 
admissible is great, and for the most part they may be advan- 
tageously mixed with ordinary spirits, such as brandy, whisky, 
gin, wine, &c. Good wine is to be preferred to spirit, espe- 
cially in those cases where agents of this kind have frequently 
to be administered. Its effects are more lasting than those of 
spirit ; besides which much less irritation of the mucous mem- 
brane of the stomachs and bowels will attend its repeated exhi- 
bition. The agent, however, of the stimulating class which in 
our hands has proved the most useful is the oil of turpentine. 
It may be given conjoined with the ethers, nitric or sulphuric, 
in doses of an ounce and a half every three to four hours for the 
first sixteen or eighteen hours, should coma continue so long. 
Throughout the whole attack the cow must be well propped 
up with bundles of straw, and kept lying as much as possible 
on the belly. She should also be occasiorially moved over from 
one side to the other. This is of more importance than may at 
first appear, for by it slight tympany will often be removed ; 
but what is even of greater importance is that stagnation of 
blood in the parts of the body most pressed upon is thereby 
prevented. A want of turning has led in several instances to 
gangrene of the hind-quarters, and ultimately to death therefrom, 
of animals which had recovered from the comatose condition, 
had risen and had entered upon the convalescent stage. 
From the preceding remarks it will be inferred that medicinal 
agents will have been employed to their full extent while the 
c ondition of the animal demanded their use. On a favourable 
change taking place, and especially if the cow should rise,. 
