716 SPOEADIC DISEASES. 



suddenly ; as the consequence of this would be con<Testion of 

 the intestinal mucous membrane, denoted by tympanites, great 

 prostration, cessation of the purging, and the other symptoms 

 described by Mr. Field, finally terminating in death. 



If the purgation continue, an endeavour should be made to 

 overcome it gradually but not too quickly. For this purpose I 

 know of nothing better than tincture of opium, chalk, and Hour 

 gruel. Two ounces of the tincture are to be given, with the same 

 quantity of prepared chalk, mixed with a quart of flour gruel, 

 every three or four hours until the purging is checked, hot appli- 

 cations being in the meanwhile applied to the abdomen, great 

 care being taken that the animal has no access to cold water or 

 other fluid, as its thirst is great and it is apt to drink inordi- 

 nately ; but it is essential that it should have small quantities 

 of flour gruel or other emollient drink, not only to allay the 

 painful and feverish thirst, but to keep the blood in a proper 

 fluid condition to circulate through the minute pulmonary capil- 

 laries. If the prostration be very great, stimulants, as wine or 

 brandy, are to be tried ; if they seem to act beneficially, they 

 are to be continued, but not otherwise. 



As a medico-legal question, the occurrence of superpurgation 

 after the administration of a simple and moderate cathartic by 

 the veterinarian is one of great importance. In no case where 

 due caution has been taken, where the dose has not been more 

 than the necessities of the case required, and where the above 

 mode of after treatment has been enjoined, should the veteri- 

 narian be held responsible. 



Superpurgation is typical of inflammatory diarrlioea, no matter 

 what its cause may be, and as the symptoms and treatment are 

 identical, there is no necessity for further description. It may, 

 however, be mentioned that a form of diarrhoea, even more fatal 

 in its consequences, accompanied by a greater degree of prostra- 

 tion, and terminating fatally in a shorter period of time than 

 that induced by medicinal cathartics, is brought about by 

 an over-abundant feeding upon raw potatoes. Again, the 

 same condition is induced by the ingestion of food containing 

 sand, small pebbles, or other materials incapable of being 

 digested. There is no cause, however, so rapidly fatal as 

 raw potatoes, the toxic properties peculiar to the natural order 

 " solanacece " being seemingly exerted upon the system gene- 



