DIARRHCEA OF THE YOFNG. . 647 



When, from the restlessness of the horse or any other cause, 

 the exhibition of medicines by the mouth is not admissible or 

 very difficult, recourse ought to be had to the employment of 

 morphia subcutaneously. 



When there is reason to believe that the diarrhoea is the 

 result of engorgement and obstruction of the portal system, 

 it is not advisable to employ active means to check the flux, 

 but rather, in addition to resting the animal, allow such light 

 and emollient food and drink as will tend to facilitate the passing 

 of this extra functional activity of the bowels into a normal 

 state. This desired result may be hastened by the administra- 

 tion of moderate and repeated doses of tincture or solution of 

 perchloride of iron, with a little of the tinctures of gentian and 

 nux vomica administered in starch-gruel or linseed-tea with 

 raw eggs ; while, when exhaustion is considerable, a moderate 

 amount of an alcoholic stimulant will be useful. 



When called to advise regarding the treatment of diarrhoea 

 in the very young, it is well to observe what is the character of 

 the discharges, as these seem somewhat modified both as to 

 colour and consistence by the immediate conditions operating 

 in the production of the excessive discharge from the bowels. 

 I have observed that when these were of a deep yellow colour, 

 irritating and slimy, that the condition of the liver was more 

 at fault than when the excreta was of a paler colour and 

 thin. 



In the former condition it will generally be better to begin 

 our treatment with a little laxative medicine ; and for this 

 purpose castor-oil, given in quantities proportionate to the age 

 and strength of the foal, is to be prefered to salines ; to this 

 may be added a drachm of tincture of opium. Following the 

 action of this — indicated by a change of character in the dis- 

 charges — and also in those cases where the deep yellow colour 

 does not exist from the outset, I have usually employed 

 agents somewhat similar to those recommended for the adult 

 animal. Solution of acetate of ammonia, spirits of nitrous sether, 

 powdered camphor, tincture of opium, or pure carbolic acid, 

 alone or in combination, have been found useful ; while instead 

 of flour-gruel as a vehicle, scalded milk, strong tea, or infusion 

 of camomile, seem in these 3^oung animals to serve the pur- 

 pose better. Other agents I have found usefid administered 



