West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-07-10
HOVEN OR RLOAf.
Two Seasons of tho Year In which It Is
Prevalent and Fatal.

Two Seasons OF tho Year In which It Is
Prevalent and Fatal.
The first is when the clover gets large
enough so that animals can get n mouth
full of it and over-gorge themselves.
The other is when grass becomes dry
and tough, and stock becomes crazy to
break into corn fields, when the corn is
in full milk. In this State it is peculiar
ly agreeable to the taste of the COW and
she gorges herself. In case of clover,
it is more dangerous when wet from
rain or dew. The animals eat moro
than they can readily digest before it
sours, which develops gas, distends the
stomach, which derangcs the bowels
and obstructs the natural passages. In
this situation if relief is not soon given
the animal dies. There are several
remedies recommended for hoVen. In
case OF trespasS on corn fields, the uni
versal preventive is-keep better fences.
But accidents sometimes happen to the
best fences. But when the animal is
badly swollen by the generation of gas
in the bowels, relief must come soon,
for the work is rapid and generally
death suddenly ensues. The first thing
best to be done is TO excite the salivary
glands and induce the animal TO swal-
low the saliva. 1t is a valuable agent
in correcting any acidty of the stomach
and in aiding digestion. In the compo-
sition of saliva there are several in
gradients which aid in correcting any
Irregularities in the stomach, such as
the muriGte of soda, phosphate of soda,
phosphate OF lime. phosphate of ami
monia, etc. These, if supplied in
quantity, counteract any acidity and de-
stroy the gas The best way, IL is said,
to irritate the salivary glands and cause
the saliva to flow copiously is to put
stick about as large as a hoe handle
across through the animals mouth, and
tie it back tight to the base of the horns.
In this way, for some reason, the glands
discharge freely and the animal by the
position of the head should be COM
PEELED to swallow il. If the case is not
a severe one, and not too far progressed,
this frequently gives relief.
But if this fails, then resort must be had
to the desperate expedent of the knife.
inserted carefully into the side of the ami
nal between the last rib and the haunch
bone, where the distended paunch will
be felt pressing against the flank. A
to be plunged into the animal at that
spot, which must pass through the skin,
the wall of the belly, and enter the
paunch. The wound is to be left open
for awhile for the gas to be discharged,
which IS sometimes so violent as to
make a Kissing noise. Then the hole
will heal, and by careful hand can DO
aided by holding the edges of the wound
together with an adhesive plaster.
Some skillful veterinary surgeons cut
the hole in the side large enough to not
only discharge the offensive gas. but 10
dip out the sour food which Is general
ing the gas Then they sow mp with 2
few stitches the paunch. the walls of tho
belly and the skin. This operation could
only be undertaken by n scientific man,
with the necessary instruments.
Cattle frequently have the hoven when
fed regularly on ordinary food. II is
caused by indigestion, the food ferment-
ing by laying longer in the stomach
than nature designs. And indigestion
is generally caused by an in-uliiciency
Of saliva either I'm quantity or quality
And any thing as we said above. which
will increase the flow Of healthy saliva
viii relieve thcHnimal Of this dangerous
omplaint-- Io1On St1te RcQister.