INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION 297 



pains observed in debility of the bowels, to the most severe paroxysms 

 of suffering exhibited in the twists and entanglements into which they 

 are sometimes accidentally brought. In all cases, however, the discharge 

 of faeces sooner or later ceases. 



In order to find out the cause, it is necessary to consider every detail 

 in the history of the case and let in all the side-lights obtainable from 

 every source. 



Fig. 106.— Strangulated Bowel 



Treatment. — There are many causes of obstruction which yield 

 promptly to purgatives and the method of treatment prescribed under the 

 head of constipation. This is more especially the case with those due to 

 functional impairment of the bowels, but since the cause of obstruction 

 cannot always be definitely ascertained, treatment must sometimes be 

 speculative and the result consequently uncertain. 



Oily laxatives, as castor and linseed oils, or aloes, are indicated, and 

 in all cases solid food should be withheld until the obstruction is caused 

 to give way. Some benefit will be found from the repeated injection of 

 enemas of tepid water with which a little salt and salad oil has been mixed. 

 Pain must be subdued by the administration of sedatives and antispasmo- 

 dics. Here tincture of opium, or the extract of belladonna, or the two 



