172 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES 



water to remove all food particles which might remain to 

 decompose and eventually be swallowed to perpetuate the 

 intestinal disturbance. 



Dietetic. In most cases of acute enteritis, all food is 

 withheld for at least twenty-four to forty-eight hours. After 

 this time, when improvement begins to be noticeable, dogs 

 may be given small amounts of lean, meat finely divided, 

 milk, beef tea, rice soup, etc., once or twice daily. Rabbits 

 should be fed small quantities of roasted oats, corn or barley, 

 or roasted bread. For birds small amounts of cooked rice, 

 oatmeal, cornmeal or bread and milk may be given once 

 daily. Green foods should be withheld at first and only 

 allowed in small quantities several days after improvement 

 is noted. They tend to increase the diarrhea by their laxa- 

 tive action. 



Medical. In mild cases of enteritis, due to errors in feeding 

 or irritating foodstuffs, etc., small doses of laxatives are 

 indicated to remove the irritating material from the bowels. 

 Castor oil (dogs, 15.0-40.0; cats, 3.0-15.0; rabbits, 5.0-10.0; 

 birds, 1.0-8.0), or calomel (dogs, 0.3-0.4; cats, 0.1-0.15; 

 rabbits, 0.2 ; birds, 0.05-0.2) can be administered. Magnesium 

 sulphate (dogs, 10.0-15.0; cats, 1.0-5.0; rabbits, 1.0-3.0; 

 birds, 1.0-2.0) is frequently used for the same purpose owing 

 to its increasing the fluids in the bowels and flushing them 

 out more promptly and thoroughly. It is best administered 

 in solution with warm water. 



In more severe cases where the diarrhea is persistent after 

 the use of laxatives, it is necessary to administer styptics, 

 such as opium (dogs, 0.1-0.5; cats, 0.005-0.2; rabbits, 0.05- 

 0.1; birds, 0.05-0.1). In cases where severe pain is present, 

 especially in dogs, morphin sulphate is indicated. It may be 

 given (for dogs, 0.02-0.15) as a subcutaneous injection dis- 

 solved in water (5.00). 



Astringents are sometimes of value in controlling the 

 persistent diarrhea and tannic acid is often administered 

 for that purpose in the following dosage: Dogs (0.1-0.5), 

 cats (0.05-0.2), rabbits (0.05-0.2), birds (0.01-0.05). 



Where fermentative processes continue in the bowels 

 disinfectants may be administered: Lysol (0.5-2.0), creolin 

 (0.5-2.0), salol (0.2-0.8). 



