156 Veterijiary Medicine. 



and continuous suffering and stupor, with tympanitic tension of 

 the abdomen, and suppression of the intestinal movements, in the 

 absence of any distinct or marked hyperthermia. The rapid 

 progress to death or recovery is equally characteristic. 



Treatment. In mild cases the prompt use of aromatics will 

 sometimes succeed ; tincture of pimento, anise or coriander 2 to 

 3 ounces, oil of pepperment, 20 to 30 drops. Stimulants, aqua 

 ammonia, i to 2 drachms, largely diluted, ether i ounce, brandy or 

 whisky i pint, will sometimes succeed. A good combination is 

 dilute hydrochloric acid, i drachm, oil of turpentine i ounce, 

 olive oil 14 pint. 



Still more effective in the rousing of the torpid vermicular 

 movements are eserine sulphate 1.5 grain or pilocarpin 2 grains, 

 or barium chloride 7 grains sub-cutem. 



These largely replace the old plan of giving a dose of aloes in 

 bolus, yet in case of need aloes may still be given in ounce doses 

 in cold water injections. The cold serves to rouse the vermicular 

 movements of the bowels and sympathetically of the stomach. 



Walking exercise, friction over the abdomen, and even electric 

 currents through the epigastrium and left hypochondrium may be 

 helpful. 



In very urgent cases, 1 ounce to 2 ounces chloral hydrate is 

 often effective. It acts as a powerful anti-ferment, checking fur- 

 ther extrication of gas, and counteracts spasms of the bowels, so 

 that gas passes more freely per anum, vermicular movements are 

 resumed and recovery may be hoped for. 



Puncture of the stomach through the external abdominal wall 

 can only be effected by transfixing the transverse colon above 

 which it lies and few have the hardihood to undertake this. It 

 may, however, be punctured with comparative safety through the 

 fourteenth to tlie seventeentli intercostal space in its upper half 

 (Scammel). The overdistended stomach pressing forward on the 

 left half of the diapliragm, applies that again.st the inner surface 

 of the ribs, the lung being driven forward out of the way, and the 

 liver and colon are also displaced, so that the trochar transfixes 

 the skin, intercostal muscles, costal and phrenic pleura, diaphragm, 

 peritoneum and stomach. The marked drum- like resonance on 

 percussion indicates the best point for the puncture, and the 

 trochar should be directed inward and slightly backward and 



