THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 157 



muscle, however, at times, seems to have lost the power of con- 

 tracting to its normal size, from the pressure from within out- 

 wards ; hence the great difficulty of keeping the parts within 

 their limits, even after they have been returned. 



The difficulty may also be occasioned from inordinate peristal- 

 tic action, known as purging, looseness, and diarrhoea ; it pro- 

 ceeds then from debility, and besides using local astringents, the 

 patient's health must be restored by means of nutritious diet and 

 alterative astringent medicines. Powerful drastic cathartics and 

 over-exertion are classed among the causes of prolapsus. 



Treatment. — If the case be one originating in constipation, 

 the bowels must be evacuated with the following drench : — 



Linseed oil, 12 ounces, 



Tincture of aloes, 2 ounces, 



Powdered ginger, 3 drachms. 



If, however, the bowels can be evacuated with any of the saline 

 aperients, such as epsom or glauber salts, they are to be preferred. 

 The object is to unload the bowels, and the less medicine and the 

 more mild its operation, the better. When the bowels have re- 

 sponded to the medicine, they must be kept soluble by scalded 

 mashes, green food, if it can be had; a liberal allowance of 

 salt will be of benefit, not only in view of preventing constipa- 

 tion, but also for the purpose of preventing the food generating 

 the usual quantity of carbonic acid gas ; the result of which would 

 be distention of the bowels, and great obstruction to the return 

 of the gut. If the bowels are merely in a torpid condition, and 

 the constipation has existed but a short time, the following aperient 

 will be indicated : — 



Flowers of sulphur, .... 1 ounce, 

 Powdered bloodroot, .... 2 drachms, 



To be mixed in a bottle, with half a pint of molasses and water, 

 for a drench. 



The rectum must be returned by the most gentle means, and 

 kept in position by pad and bandage. Before returning the parts, 

 they should be freely bathed with cold water ; the water may be 

 made slightly astringent by the addition of a few drops of tinc- 

 ture of muriate of iron, or a small quantity of powdered alum. 

 The cold water contracts the capillary vessels, and subdues 

 14 



