Acute Gastric Indigestion i?i Solipeds. 157 



pushed until solid resistance at its point ceases. As the intestines 

 are usually tympanitic as well it may be requisite to puncture also 

 the caecum and colon, to restore the peristalsis of the alimentary 

 tract generally. Antiseptics such as sulphurous acid, the sulphites, 

 or hyposulphites, calcium chloride, bleaching powder, potassium 

 permanganate or chloral hydrate, may be introduced through the 

 cannula or by the mouth. 



As far as the stomach is concerned, an effective relief can be 

 had through the probang or stomach pump. A small one-half 

 inch hollow probang may be safely passed through the nose and 

 gullet into the stomach, and any gas or liquid allowed to escape. 

 With proper attachments this may be fixed to a stomach pump 

 and the viscus exhausted of all available liquid, after which an 

 equal amount is pumped in and again withdrawn, until the con- 

 tents are reduced to a normal amount. The water pumped in 

 may be rendered antiseptic by sodium chloride, sodium bisulphite, 

 or other antiferment, so that further extrication of gas will be 

 prevented. If it is necessary to use the ordinary probang or 

 stomach tube introduced through the mouth, great care must be 

 taken in introducing it to see that the soft palate does not deflect 

 it downward into the larynx. Its presence in the gullet above 

 and beyond the lar3'nx can be felt by manipulation from without, 

 and until this is ascertained it should on no account be pushed 

 onward. 



The importance of a measure of mechanical relief such as this, 

 is the greater that the stomach of the soliped is non-absorbing, 

 and relief from undue pressure of contents can only be had by 

 their pa.s.sage upward or downward. Then again, the hor.se 

 cannot vomit like the carnivora and omnivora, nor regurgitate 

 like ruminants, and if left to himself with engorged stomach, his 

 case is hopeless indeed. 



The contingent weakness in cases of recovery may demand 

 careful feeding and a course of bitter tonics. 



