334 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 



in memory, as a fact forcibly impressive of the extreme im- 

 portance of putting what we determine on doing for the 

 animaPs relief into immediate execution. This leads me to say, 

 The Treatment of a case of inflammation of the bowels 

 requires, on the part of the practitioner, no less promptitude 

 than judgment : without the one, the other will, indeed, avail 

 but little. The rapidity of the inflammation; its tendency to 

 mortification ; and the poignant pain and irritation, and 

 consequent fever, the animal all the while is suffering, ve- 

 hemently urge us to the adoption of measures, not only of 

 ready application, but of speedy effect. The first and grand 

 thing to be done, is to let blood from the jugular vein to 

 the utmost extent the patient will bear : the blood-can 

 ought not to be taken from the neck until evident prostra- 

 tion demands it. Should this come on prematurely — should 

 the horse stagger and appear faint from loss of blood, al- 

 though but a few pints have flowed, pin up the vein, and 

 administer to him his drench, and an injection ; and then, 

 should his strength seem revived, have recourse once more 

 to the fleam ; for blood he must lose, and in large quantities 

 too, since upon that mainly depends his recovery. 



Medicine. — There used to be — I believe there still exists 

 — scruples about exhibiting aloes in enteritis ; although 

 on all sides it is admitted that it is a case that calls most 

 loudly for medicine, cathartic; or, at least, for a complete 

 evacuation of the bowels ; and no one denies that it is the 

 muscular J and not the mucous, coat of the bowel which is 

 the seat of the inflammation. For my own part, I no 

 longer hesitate to prescribe aloes in solution, in combina- 

 tion with opium, the narcotic being now considered by 

 the best veterinary practitioners to be the appropriate remedial 

 agent we possess for colic, and certainly not an inapplicable 

 one for enteritis. I would therefore give, in a pressing case 

 immediately, the following drink : — 



Decoct. Aloes, Oj; 

 Opii, 5J ; 



Aquae Bullient., Oss. M. 

 Dissolve the opium in the boiling water, and add the decoction. 



