CONSIGNMENT OF SICK CATTLE TO THE BUTCH Eli. 649 
Cases of this kind may take place from simple distention of 
the muscular fibre (by the quantity of food taken in) beyond the 
power of contracting on the contents ; and they may also occur 
from pieces of leather or other substances obstructing the passage 
through the second and third stomachs, independent of disease. 
I have frequently removed pins, needles, nails, halfpence, &c.,and 
lately a number of pieces of thin sheet iron, well polished among 
sand, and the sole of an old shoe containing* a number of large- 
headed nails worn by ploughmen. 
Though aware that the operation is performed, I have never 
witnessed it, or examined a case in which it had been done by 
any person ; and as it seems that the operation is performed by 
the opening being made in the flank, this may, perhaps, account 
for the results that follow, and warrant the advice given. As 1 
have always made my incision farther up on the side, I beg to 
send you the following case, as the plan I generally adopt. 
Nov. 1st , 1836. — 1 was sent for to attend a cow belonging to 
Mrs. Craig, of Prestonholm Mill. She had broken the fence of 
her pasture, and got into a field of turnips, of which she ate to 
complete distention. The stomach had been punctured, and she 
had had oil given before I was called, without any good result. 
As the danger did not seem immediate, I commenced my treat- 
ment by giving cathartic medicine with active stimulants twice 
in the day, and in considerable quantities, varying the kinds 
alternately for four days, without the least benefit. The cow 
was evidently sinking, when I obtained Mrs. C.’s consent (whose 
pet she was) to the operation. 
I commenced by an incision through the integuments and 
muscles, at an equal distance between the ilium and last rib, 
and about two inches from the point of the transverse process of 
the lumbar vertebrae, and continued it downwards for nearly five 
inches, until the hand could be easily introduced ; after which I 
opened the stomach to the same extent. In making the incision 
at this part, it will at once be seen that little of the contents can 
flow out, being occupied by the coarsest part of the food ; also it 
ought in all cases, where practicable, to be done, the animal stand- 
ing. 
Before proceeding further, the stomach should be firmly se- 
cured to the sides of the wound by strong sutures, passed from 
within outwards through the stomach, muscles, and integuments, 
at distances of an inch ; each of these sutures to be secured in 
such a way as to be easily unloosed, their ends being left long. 
The hand is then, to be introduced, and the contents removed. 
In the present case, four large horse pailsful of solid food were 
taken out, after which the fluid was removed by a sponge. The 
vol. xv. 4 s 
