Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

244
CATTLE.
beast should be secured, and the hair cut closely from the throat,
over the windpipe, and opposite to the fifth or sixth ring. The skin
is then tightened by the finger and thumb, and an incision is made
through it, at least three inches in length. This must be carefully
dissected off from the parts beneath, and then a portion of the wind-
pipe, half an inch wide, and an inch in length, carefully cut out.
The lips of the wound should be kept open by threads passed through
the edges and tied over the neck, until the pressure or inflammation
above no longer exists, and then they may be brought together and
the wound healed.
It is wonderful what instantaneous and perfect relief this operation
affords. The beast that was struggling for breath, and seemed every
moment ready to expire, is in a moment himself.
In cases of permanent obstruction, as tumor in the nostrils, or distortion
of the larynx or trachea, the animal will generally be consigned
to the butcher ; but instances may occur in which it is 'desirable to
preserve the beast for the sake of breeding, or for other purposes.
Then a tube may be introduced into the opening, two or three inches
long^ curved at the top, and the external orifice turning downward,
with a little ring on each side, by which, through the means of tapes,
it may be retained in its situation. A favorite cow or bull might be
thus preserved, but extraordinary cases alone would justify such a
proceeding.
THE THYMUS GLAND, OR SWEETBREAD.
There is an irregular glandular body, of a pale pink color, situated
in the very fore part of the thorax, vulgarly called the sweetbread.
In the early period of the life of the fetus, it is of no considerable
size, and is confined mostly to the chest ; but during the latter
months it strangely develops itself. It protrudes from the thorax ;
it climbs up on each side of the neck, between the carotids and the
trachea, and reaches even to the parotid gland, and becomes a part
of that gland. It cannot be separated from the parotid ; and when
cut into, a milky fluid exudes from it.
Very soon after birth, however, a singular change takes p'laoe ; it
spontaneously separates from the parotid ; it gradually disappears,
beginning from above downward ; and in the course of a few months
not a vestige of it remains along the whole of the neck. It then
more slowly diminishes within the chest ; but at length it disappears
there too, and its situation is occupied by the thoracic duct.
1^ is evidently connected with the existence of the animal previous
to birth, and more particularly with the latter stages of fcetal life.
It seems to be part of the nutritive system. It pours a bland and
milky fluid through the parotid duct into the mouth, and so into the
stomach, in order to habituate the stomach by degrees to the digest-