ENEMA. 109 



of croton : indeed it would seem that it was almost the only 

 one whose operation is free from danger, 



Concluding Observations. — After all, for general use, 

 we possess no purge equal to aloes. It is the one I prefer, 

 after having tried others ; though I have not banished croton, 

 yet the bottle containing it is seldom moved, unless it be for 

 the cases I before mentioned. Independent of all consi- 

 derations, I do not know the advantage possessed by croton 

 over aloes. It requires quite as great, or even a greater 

 length of time before it operates : when it does act, it appears 

 to be less certain in its effects, and altogether less under our 

 control. 



Purgatives are aided in their operation by — indeed, it may 

 happen, cathartis is to a degree excited by — 



ENEMA. 



There are various ways of exhibiting injections to horses. 

 The most common is with a bladder tied to a pipe. The 

 bladder is filled, and squeezed after the pipe is inserted. 

 This apparatus is faulty, because the horse requires more 

 than the contents, and the pipe has to be withdrawn before 

 the operation is ended. The quart pewter syringe is the 

 second, but is in less general use. It is, however, a heavy 

 and cumbersome machine ; it cannot be employed with 

 requisite delicacy, and may without loss be abandoned. 

 The best invention for this purpose is Read^s pump, 

 which, as now sold, will administer tobacco smoke as well 

 as fluid. It is worked with ease, and without the danger 

 which may occasionally attend the use of those previously 

 mentioned. Moreover, it admits of the operator occupying 

 a position which is removed from the possibility of soil, 

 which he must expose himself to when attempting to employ 

 either of the other two. 



Injections consist of simple water, of gruel, and of linseed 

 tea. Either of these may be rendered more active by the 

 admixture of common salt, Epsom salts, aloes, or turpentine. 



