372 Aeeiiniulatioii of Feces in the Intestines. 



ing in order to prevent the oeeurreiiee of ititestinal rupture. It 

 is usually necessary to repeat the administration of the above 

 drastic medicines. In obstipation of the cecum Hohne repeatedly 

 gives 50 gin. of aloes at intervals of three days, the treatment 

 to be continued, if necessary, for two weeks; good results are 

 claimed for this treatment. 



The elTect of different forms of treatment is assisted by 

 massage or kneading of the masses of accumulated feces from 

 the rectum (Sobelsolm), this further causes the intestines to con- 

 tract and the fecal masses which can be reached may be broken 

 up or moulded. Massage alone is usually not successful, except 

 in obstipation of the small intestines if the jejunum can easily 

 be reached by the hand introduced into the rectum. Hummericli 

 and Kalcher obtained good results in obstipation of the large 

 intestine by rolling the animals on their backs (see page 362). 



In very severe obstipation of the ileum which does not yield to any of the forms 

 of treatment described, one might try laparotomy to remove the desiccated contents 

 through the left sided lai)arotomy wound, either l)y propelling them by hand or by 

 taking them out after enterotomy. In obstipation of the large intestine, laparotomy 

 does not appear indicated, becaiise one cannot remove the great masses of desiccated 

 feces completely and the sutures would not keep after partial removal, being torn 

 by the masses which have remained behind. The cases of Gaullet and Hobday prove 

 conclusively the danger of laparotomy in obstipation of the large intestine. Deg- 

 hilage has massaged intestinal loops through an incision made into the upper vaginal 

 wall of a mare and has in this manner brought about recovery. 



Secondary dilatation of the stomach can only be treated by 

 the use of the stomach tube (see page 304). This instrument 

 should always be used in obstipation of the small intestines, 

 even before symptoms indicate dilatation of the stomach. If 

 the gastric tube is used repeatedly under these conditions, rup- 

 ture of the stomach can usually be prevented. 



Obstipation in the large intestine also calls for dietetic 

 treatment. Instead of rough feed or grain, which horses with 

 obstipation of the large intestine .take by preference for some 

 time or after a temporary improvement, but which will surely 

 lead to an aggravation of the affection, the animals should re- 

 ceive juicy food stuffs, like bran or flour gruels, beets, bullions 

 plants, green soft feed, always in small amounts and at in- 

 tervals. The animals should be prevented from eating bedding 

 straw by the use of a muzzle or otherwise. Pasturing the ani- 

 mals is very good. However, they should not be fed on any 

 bloating green feed, particularly not in obstipation of the cecum. 



Prophylaxis. Animals inclined to sulTer from obstipation 

 should be fed with fresh hay and green feed or molasses, or they 

 should be pastured at certain times; if this cannot be carried 

 out, the systematic administration of salts with the feed may 

 properly be substituted to a certain degree. Faulty teeth must 

 be repaired. The predisposed animals should be subjected to 

 close observation, so that one can take the proper steps when- 

 ever there is anv disturbance in defecation. Ducasse recom- 



