SrORADIC DISEASES. G85 



this purpose sedatives, such as aconite or belladonna, with 

 antacids — bicarbonate soda or potash — and one or at most two 

 moderate doses of an oleaginous aperient, with an abundant supply 

 of fluids for the animal to drink, fomentations to the abdomen, 

 and enemas, are to be prescribed. This treatment is much more 

 calculated to save life than the indiscriminate use of powerful 

 cathartics and stimulants. I speak advisedly, having witnessed 

 many animals destroyed by the administration of repeated doses 

 of cathartics in order to overcome constipation in this affection, 

 the parties prescribing not being perhaps aware that an inflamed 

 part loses its function, and that before the function and the 

 peristaltic movement of the bowels can be restored the subsidence 

 of the inflammation is essential, and that such inflammation is 

 much more likely to be increased than diminished when the 

 inflamed tissue is irritated by drastic cathartics or other remedies, 

 which are supposed to rouse up the action of the bowels. If 

 passage of the faeces is not restored in the course of twenty-four 

 hours after the administration of the aperient, it does not follow 

 that it is necessary to repeat it ; time must always be allowed in 

 all inflammatory diseases for the inflammation to subside, and 

 for the weakened or debilitated parts gradually to resume their 

 normal functions. The late Professor Strangeways was very 

 successful in the treatment of this affection. At the commence- 

 ment he gave a dose of oil, with sedatives, and after the febrile 

 symptoms had to some degree subsided, from eight to twelve 

 ounces of sulphate of magnesia, fifteen grains of quinine, and a 

 few drops of sulphuric acid, ample time being allowed before 

 any additional cathartic was given. It was very seldom necessary 

 to repeat the medicine, as the bowels became gradually restored 

 to their natural healthy condition. 



Impaction of the stomach in the dog and 'cat are naturally 

 overcome by vomition, which also occurs sometimes in the pig, 

 but should this not occur, an emetic is to be administered. 



The dog suffers from catarrhal inflammation of the stomach — 

 (jastrorrhcea — induced by improper food, or occasionally by enzo- 

 otic influences, in which there is a high degree of fever, hot nose, 

 blood-shot eyes, and quick pulse, abdominal pabi, con'stipation, 

 and frequent or almost constant attempts to vomit ; a dense 

 mucus tinged with bile being sometimes thrown up. The most 



