HOVEN IN CATTLE. 
547 
cases. Paunching is another remedy frequently used, and occa¬ 
sionally with great success; but it is, after all, a desperate remedy 
in unprofessional hands, and I have attended many cases wherein 
the animals have died in consequence of the operation having been 
performed. When an animal is paunched by the common method 
of the knife being plunged into the rumen on the left side, at a 
point about a hand’s breadth in front of the hip, and at an equal 
distance from the loins, immediate relief is usually obtained; but 
a great quantity of the contents of the stomach often escapes into 
the abdominal cavity, and remains there as a source of dreadful 
irritation. If paunching is to be performed, it should be by the 
trochar and stiletto, which will mainly prevent the results above 
named; but it is never to be recommended in unprofessional hands, 
unless as a last resort, as there is considerable care required in the 
after treatment of the animal. In some desperate cases the rumen 
has been opened on the left side, its contents removed, and the 
animal has done well. I need not say that this could only be done 
by a skilful veterinary surgeon. 
Many medicinal means for the treatment of this complaint are 
employed by the veterinary surgeon, which are varied or combined 
according to circumstances; among these I will only name a few, 
as many others may become necessary in particular cases, accord¬ 
ing to the peculiarities shewn : they are generally of a stimulating 
nature, to cause the paralysed stomach to act; or partly stimulant, 
and partly such as will neutralize the gases evolved in the sto¬ 
mach, by forming new compounds. These agents are generally 
combined with purgatives and simple stimulants, as ginger, cumin 
seeds, &c. 
Spirits of turpentine is a very valuable remedy. Spirits of 
nitrous ether is an excellent remedy. Tinct. opii highly useful in 
some cases. 01. cajeputi is a very useful remedy. Stimulants of 
any sort may be given on occasions when other remedies are not at 
hand ; even gin, rum, whiskey, &c. have been given with benefit. 
Ammonia, either as the liquor ammonise or the carbonate of am¬ 
monia, is a most valuable remedy in early cases, as it unites 
with the sulphuretted hydrogen gas which is first thrown off, and 
forms a new inert compound, and also acts as a powerful stimulant 
to the coats of the stomach. 
Chloride of lime in solution, in the latter cases, has often proved 
useful, by uniting with the carbonic acid gas which is thrown off 
in the latter stages of fermentation; it acts by forming an inert 
substance, and thus doing away with the distention. A veterinary 
surgeon, in very bad cases, is able, through the canula of the tro¬ 
char, to inject at once into the stomach of the animal any of these 
stimulants or neutralizing agents with the highest benefit. 
