Among agents that act more exclusively as antiseptics may be named: muriatic acid 1 to 1½ drs. largely diluted in water; carbolic acid, creosote or creolin, 4 drs. largely diluted; sulphite, hyposulphite or bisulphite of soda 1 oz.; kerosene oil ½ pint; chloride of lime 4 drs.; chlorine water 1 pint; wood tar 2 oz. The latter agent is a common domestic remedy in some places being given wrapped in a cabbage leaf, and causing the flank to flatten down in a very few minutes as if by magic. The extraordinarily rapid action of various antiseptics is the most conclusive answer to the claim that the disorder is a pure paresis of the walls of the rumen. The affection is far more commonly and fundamentally an active fermentation, and is best checked by a powerful antiferment. Even chloride of sodium (½ lb.) and above all hypochlorite of soda or lime (½ oz.) may be given with advantage in many cases.
Among agents which condense the gasses may be named ammonia, calcined magnesia, and milk of lime for carbon dioxide, and chlorine water for hydrogen.
Among agents used to rouse the torpid rumen and alimentary canal are eserine (ox 3 grs., sheep ½ gr. subcutem), pilocarpin (ox 2 grs., sheep ⅕ gr.), barium chloride (ox 15 grs., sheep 3 to 4 grs.), tincture of colchicum (ox 3 to 4 drs.). Trasbot mentions lard or butter (ox 4 oz., sheep ½ oz.), as in common use in France.
In the most urgent cases, however, relief must be obtained by puncture of the rumen, as a moment’s delay may mean death. The seat for such puncture is on the left side, at a point equidistant from the outer angle of the ilium, the last rib and the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebræ. Any part of the left flank might be adopted to enter the rumen, but, if too low down, the instrument might plunge into solid ingesta, which would hinder the exit of gas, and would endanger the escape of irritant liquids into the peritoneal cavity. In an extra high puncture there is less danger, though a traumatism of the spleen is possible under certain conditions. The best instrument for the purpose is a trochar and cannula of six inches long and ⅓ to ½ inch in diameter. (For sheep ¼ inch is ample.) This instrument, held like a dagger, may be plunged at one blow through the walls of the abdomen and rumen until stopped by the shield on the cannula. The trochar is now withdrawn and the gas escapes with a prolonged hiss. If the urgency of the case will permit, the skin may be first incised with a lancet or pen knife, and the point of the instrument having been placed on the abdominal muscles, it is driven home by a blow of the opposite palm. In the absence of the trochar the puncture may be successfully made with a pocket knife or a pair of scissors, which should be kept in the wound to maintain the orifice in the rumen in apposition with that in the abdominal wall, until a metal tube or quill can be introduced and held in the orifices.
When the gas has escaped by this channel its further formation can be checked by pouring one of the antiferments through the cannula into the rumen.
When the formation of an excess of gas has ceased, and the resumption of easy eructation bespeaks the absence of further danger, the cannula may be withdrawn and the wound covered with tar or collodion.
When the persistent formation of gas indicates the need of expulsion of offensive fermentescible matters, a full dose of salts may be administered. If the presence of firmly impacted masses can be detected, they may sometimes be broken up by a stout steel rod passed through the cannula. If the solid masses prove to be hair or woolen balls, rumenotomy is the only feasible means of getting rid of them.
In chronic tympany caused by structural diseases of the œsophagus, mediastinal glands, stomach or intestines, permanent relief can only be obtained by measures which will remove these respective causes.
CHRONIC TYMPANY OF THE RUMEN.
Causes: catarrh of rumen, impaction of manifolds, debility, paresis, peritoneal adhesions, neoplasms, concretions, sudden change in diet, gastric congestion, lesions of gullet, or of mediastinal glands. Symptoms are usually after feeding only, inappetence, rumbling, costiveness, rumen indentable. Treatment: obviate causes, give salines, acids, bitters, and water, laxative food, carminatives, antiseptics, electricity, emetic tartar, eserine, pilocarpin, barium chloride, apomorphin.