9<2 clyjstering. neglected costiveness. 



In ordinary cases, a voluntary stool will be produced at or soon after bleed 

 ing, occasioned by relaxation of the tenesmus that constitutes the disease. If 

 the dung comes forth in small quantity and small hard knobs, the anus musl, 

 be cleared by the hand, according to the directions given at a preceding page, 

 69. And, when the constipation has endured for a long time, the hardened 

 dung will not come away at all without this manual operation of back-raking, 

 which must be performed the more assiduously as the difficulty may be great- 

 er and the dung harder. Let a warm clyster be thrown up that is copious 

 enough to fill the emptied gut, at the least. 



Clyster. 



Water gruel, from four to six quarts, 

 Epsom salts, 4 or 5 ounces, 



Inject warm, with a large syringe, or ox-bladder and long pipe : perform this 

 operation effectually. 



A second and third should follow, a little warmer than the first, and after 

 an evacuation has taken place, the next clyster may be made without salt, and 

 a small degree thicker than at first. Its effect will be to remain and nourish 

 the parts nearly in the same manner as a poultice does an external inflamed 

 wound. 



Too often, however, those early indications are entirely neglected; the ani- 

 mal is harnessed in to his day's work, and the consequences are both dreadful 

 and dangerous to behold. If he be a stage-coach horse, or destined to take his 

 turn at a posting-house, his sluggishness and refusal of food is usually attri- 

 buted to "a little overwork;" and the much abused cordial is commonly ad- 

 ministered ; which brightens him up for the renewal of his daily task, and ac- 

 celerates his fate, unless rescued as by a miracle that is very seldom wrought. 

 In these cases, the first symptom perceptible to the driver is the horse's lean- 

 ing against its next horse ; but, upon being touched up, it makes fresh exer- 

 tions according to its quantity of courage, until it falls down with closed eyes, 

 in excruciating torments, lashes out behind, and beats about on the ground, 

 seldom having the strength to get upon its legs again. Bundles of straw should 

 be placed for the afflicted animal to roll upon, and his head pressed down with 

 the hand whilst the severest paroxysms expend their force. When at length 

 he gets up — which may be considered a favourable sign, that proves his 

 strength is not wholly subdued — he may be supported into a stable. Mean- 

 time, however, an examination of the rectum must take place, and the manu- 

 al operation of emptying it be employed — if need be ; that is to say, if harden- 

 ed dung should be accumulated there. At any rate, water gruel in large 

 quantities must be prepared, as well for administering by way of clyster as of 

 drench ; in both, giving it now without the addition of salt, and in the latter 

 manner nearly cold. By these means, the alarming symptoms will diminish 

 greatly; but if there is still reason to apprehend that obstruction may prevail 

 in the larger intestines, this must be got rid of by means of the oily laxative 

 prescribed at page 91, and the repetition of clysters in quantities, and admin- 

 istered with a vigour sufficient to reach the evil. 



Bleeding, of course, would be adopted to the amount of four, five, or six 

 quarts, according to the exigency of the case and the size of the animal. If 

 the blood become buffed, as it is called by some, or sizy on the surface, a 

 second blood-letting is necessary to complete the cure. Low, but nourishing 

 diet, should follow; as bran-mashes, stiff gruel, and afterwards sodden oats; 

 the return to hay provender being made gradually, and then of good qu&Iity. 



In very bad cases, the return to full health and vigour will be slow, and a 



