Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/499

Rh obstruct the respiration of the animal: the greater part of the condensed air will be speedily discharged through the tube; and, should any ardent spirits, or other liquor calculated to check the fermentation, be deemed necessary, it may be safely injected through this pipe. In short, the flexible tube here described, has been found of infinite service in saving the lives of cattle, and especially of sheep, when subject to similar disorders, or any other swelling peculiar to these creatures.

Another Instrument for relieving hoven cattle and sheep, is that contrived by Mr., of Graffham farm, near Guildford. Its peculiar simplicity, and great utility, have induced us to subjoin the following representation.

A, A, is the knob of wood, and part of the cane to which it is fastened, of a proper size for oxen: the length of the cane should be at least six feet.

B, B, is the knob of wood and part of the cane, calculated for sheep, and the length of which ought to be about three feet.

When any beast is blown or hoven, Mr. directs a person to lay hold of it by the nostril, and one horn, while an assistant steadily holds its tongue with one hand, and pushes the cane down its throat with the other. Care, however, should be taken, not to let the animal get the knob of the cane between his grinders, and also to thrust it down far enough; because its whole length will do no injury. As there will be found an obstacle at the entrance of the paunch, the cane must be pushed with additional force; and, as soon as a smell is observed to proceed from that place, and the animal's body sinks, the cure is performed, and Nature will complete the rest.

Mr. justly attributes this disorder to the superabundance of air introduced into the stomach, by eating too large quantities of succulent food, which occasions a greater than natural portion of wind to ascend from the paunch of the beast. This forces the broad leaves before the passage, at the entrance of the stomach; and these leaves prevent the wind from passing upwards in its regular course. Thus the paunch immediately begins to swell; the heat of the body rarefies the air, so rapidly as to impede the circulation of the blood, and the animal, whether bullock or sheep, unless instantaneous relief be procured, expires in half an hour.