548 
HOVEN IN CATTLE. 
Among the purgative agents with which these remedies are 
usually combined to unload the stomach may be mentioned, 
Linseed oil, Sulphate of soda (Glauber salts), 
salts), 
The latter is often highly useful, by inducing thirst, and thus setting 
the bowels in action. Also, the hydrargyri submurias (calomel) 
is a most valuable medicine, generally used in combination with 
others to quicken their action, and specifically to act on the liver, 
causing an increased flow of bile. A mixture of treacle and soft 
soap has often had a wonderful effect in causing an action of the 
bowels when other means have failed. These various means have 
been stated, as frequently the animals may be relieved of the dis¬ 
tention from the gas; but the quantity of food taken has so filled 
the stomach, that it is necessary to be unloaded; as whilst it remains 
crammed with food, and the rumen in a torpid state, the fermenta¬ 
tive process will go on, and a repetition of the hoven will take 
place. 
I have long looked for an agent which could be used with per¬ 
fect safety by the agriculturist, and at the same time be one of the 
most likely means of cure, or, at least, which would give such relief 
as would afford time for other assistance to arrive if necessary. 
Common hogs-lard is an article which can be procured at every 
farm-house, and I can speak very highly of its good effects when 
given in cases of hoven : I have advised the use of it to my friends 
for the last twenty years, and every succeeding year increases 
the favourable opinion I entertain of it. I have no hesitation in 
saying, if it be given at once when an animal is perceived to be 
swelled or hoven (in the manner I shall hereafter point out), that 
relief will be very speedily obtained; but, if the giving of it be 
delayed, more powerful agents may be required. Nineteen out 
of twenty of the common cases of hoven will be relieved by it, and 
no after-treatment required; and it has this advantage, that the 
dose may be repeated with safety. To a feeling mind nothing can 
be more annoying than to be called to a case, and find the animal 
dead or past recovery, and to know that, in all human probability, 
the animal would have been alive under simple remedial means. 
If I do not take up too much of your valuable space, I will relate 
the two following cases, which I think and hope will convince your 
readers of the efficacy of the plan I propose; and I trust it will not 
be put aside from its simplicity, as that is the very point I have 
studied to attain. 
Some time since I was sent for by Mrs. Hunt, of Harlington, 
uastor on, 
Croton seeds, 
Croton oil, 
Sulphate of magnesia (Epson 
Chloride of sodium (common 
