HOOVE IN CATTLE. 
613 
place before all hope has vanished, as it is probable that the dis¬ 
credit which has followed its delay is more to be attributed to the 
previous hesitation and doubt of the persons employed than to the 
temerity of the surgeon. It is for the veterinarian to decide, cau¬ 
tiously yet firmly, on the proper time*. 
“I would now make a few observations on mephitic indigestion, 
arising from over-feeding, a malady more frequently occurring 
among stalled beasts, or those who have been kept upon dry food. 
It is characterized by a less sudden distention of the rumen, with . 
liardness and fulness of that stomach—rapid loss of flesh—the 
pulse small, concentrated, and often feeble, and this always suc¬ 
ceeded by inflammation of the digestive organs if not combatted in 
time. Some veterinary surgeons have confounded this malady 
with gastritis, complicated with inflation of the rumen, of which 
we shall hereafter speak; but this is an error. In gastritis the me- 
teorization is only secondary, and to be attributed to the fermenta¬ 
tion of the food contained in the paunch longer than the usual time, 
on account of the suspension of the rumination. In tympanitis 
from overloaded stomach meteorization is frequently the first 
symptom, and to which we must also add the fulness and hard¬ 
ness of the paunch, for that organ is, secondarily at least, the seat 
and source of the inflammation of the organs of digestion. 
“This variety of tympanitis resists the power of mucilaginous 
drinks—of ammonia—of ether—and even also of the puncture. 
The accumulated food, hard and dried in the rumen, forms certain 
pellets, which, on account of their bulk, can no longer be re¬ 
turned to the mouth for a second mastication, for they are beyond 
the contractile force of the first stomach : it is absolutely necessary 
to cut into the paunch, and to introduce the hand, in order to empty 
it of its contents. 
“I think that it is injurious to pour any liquid in considerable 
quantity, whether medicated or nutritive, through the incision 
made into the paunch, in order to extract the food with which it is 
surcharged. 
“ The paunch is not the stomach where the aliments are digested, 
that is, changed into chyle, or where the chyliferous absorption 
commences. Those which enter that stomach in a pulpy state 
must re-ascend to the mouth and become ruminated, not having 
been sufficiently comminuted by the first mastication. It is neces- 
* It is difficult to imagine what can be the cause of the hesitation and fear 
of the French veterinary surgeons with regard to the application of the trocar. 
We are in the habit of using it, and with much success, and never with bad 
effect, in an early stage of the complaint. We may be enabled to prevent a 
too rapid extrication of gas,—we afford it a means of escape as it is extricated, 
and remove much of the irritation which arises from distention of the rumen. 
