About the middle of July, 1954, a Guernsey cow was noted to be off feed by the owner. The diagnosis, made by the local veterinarian, was a digestive disturbance. The cow responded temporarily when treated with gastric stimulants and dextrose. However, one week later, the cow again went off feed. Molasses in her feed did not stimulate the cow's appetite and milk production was cut in half. The cow was again examined by the local veterinarian on August 17, and he recommended the cow be brought to the clinic for an exploratory rumenotomy.