DISEASES OF THE HEART AND BLOOD, ETC. 381 



THE CLYSTER. 



The clyster is a liquid medicine, injected into the rectum 

 of the horse by the aid of a syringe, or some other means. 

 It is not designed to supersede any of the other methods of 

 giving medicine, hut to act in conjunction with them, espe- 

 cially in cases of extreme costiveness or stricture. In colic, 

 inflammation of the bowels, lock-jaw, or any other disease in 

 which the bowels are obstinately closed, it is a valuable as- 

 sistant in hastening evacuations. In all cases where an active 

 purge is needed, and at once, the aperient medicine given 

 into the stomach can be much expedited in its action by a 

 simultaneous use of the clyster. It is also of great service in 

 checking diarrhea, or " scours." Finally, in several diseases — 

 lock-jaw, for example — nutrition tnay be introduced into the 

 system in the same way, in suiBcient quantities to prolong 

 life for a considerable period. 



The best and easiest means of administering a clyster is 

 with a regular syringe, with the appendix of a gum-elastic 

 tube. If this be not procurable, the operator may substitute 

 a cow's horn, open at both ends, or a gourd with a long 

 handle, of which the small end had been cut off. When the 

 latter is used, the clyster medicine may be turned into* the 

 bowl of the gourd, the small end having first been inserted 

 within the rectum; and, on elevating the-bowl, the contents 

 will pass out at the other end. This is a very convenient 

 mode. A tube made of leather, and covered with old mus- 

 lin, or some similar fabric, will answer the same purpose. 

 Whatever is employed should have a smooth surface, and be 

 well greased, so as not to injure or irritate the rectum. 



An aperient ball may be made by mixing the clyster med- 

 icine in some flour and water, and then pushing this into the 

 rectum with the hand, as far as the arm can reach. Being 

 placed between the ends of the fingers, and the hand and 

 arm well greased, it can be thrust forward eighteen or twenty 

 inches. Food-balls may be given to the horse in the same 

 way in 'eases of stricture, inflammation of the bowels, lock- 



