Dia rrh cea , Scon ring . 307 



canal must be equally guarded against. An abundance of mucila- 

 ginous and demulcent liquids (mallow, flaxseed gruel, boiled 

 starch, etc.) may be given both by the mouth and anus, to sheathe 

 and protect the irritable mucous membrane and to dilute and 

 carry off the irritant contents. Moderate doses of opium may 

 be required to allaj' the violence of the spasms and peristalsis, 

 but this should not be pushed to the extent of locking up the 

 irritants. Sometimes antiseptics (naphthalin, salol) are useful 

 to check fermentation, and pepsin ma)' be given to assist digestion. 



In ordinary cases due to the presence of an irritant the first 

 object must be to relieve the bowels of this, and the second to 

 soothe the irritated mucous membrane. A laxative is usualh- all 

 that is required, but it must be a mild one so as not to add to already 

 existing irritation. Olive or castor oil are to be preferred as a 

 rule (horse and ox i pint; sheep and swine 4 ounces; dog ^ 

 ounce), alone or with a moderate dose of laudanum. Or rhubarb 

 or aloes may be substituted if desired. A dose of whisky or 

 brandy, or oil of turpentine will often do much to allay the .secre- 

 tion and peristalsis. These should be followed by moderate 

 doses of flaxseed gruel, or solution of slippery elm or mallow, or 

 simple well boiled gruels. 



If the di.scharge persists after the laxative has had time to 

 operate, the.se mucilaginous agents ma}' be replaced by .solutions 

 of boiled starch, or of gum arable, and small doses of calmatives 

 such as laudanum (horse or ox i ounce, sheep or pig 2 drachms, 

 dog 20 drops), or prussic acid or cyanide of potassium (30 drops 

 of the acid or grains of the salt for hor.se or cow). Sub-carbonate 

 of bismuth, chalk, and carminatives and antiseptics may also be 

 given. According to the indications the practitioner must combat 

 persLstent intestinal fermentation, or a relaxed adynamic condition 

 of the intestinal mucosa, or general weakness and exhaustion, 

 with such agents as seem best adapted to the individual case. 



Chronic cases will demand the exercise of much judgment. 

 After a gentle laxative, .salts of iron (sulphate, chloride,) and 

 pure bitters ma}- be given with antiseptics. Or vegetable 

 astringents (catechu, kino) with freshly burned charcoal and 

 essential oils (peppermint, cloves, cajeput) may be employed. 

 In some instances calomel -and chalk (i : 12) will serve a good 

 end. In others silver nitrate, or arsenite of copper succeeds. 



