CLYSTERS. 123 



the securing of the diseased part from being- licked is essen- 

 tially necessary to the cure. 



Clysters. 



Clysters are of the utmost importance in many cases of 

 sickness in dog-s. They become a most powerful stimulant to 

 the bowels in obstinate obstructions, and in many instances of 

 this kind they alone can be depended upon for the purpose : 

 for, when the obstruction arises from an accumulation of 

 hardened excrement, situated far back in the coecum or rec- 

 tum, purging" physic by the mouth loses all its efficacy, and, 

 in fact, increases the evil. In inflammations of the bowels, 

 bladder, kidnies, or womb, clysters have the additional ad- 

 vantage of acting as a fomentation. Cases wherein they may 

 be beneficially used as nutriment likewise, occur very fre- 

 quently : as when there exists so obstinate a sickness, that 

 nothing will remain on the stomach; or when food cannot be 

 passed by the mouth, as in locked jaw, in fractures, or in 

 wounds of the mouth, face, or throat. In all such cases, clys- 

 ters of broth, gravy, or gruel, will afford a very considerable 

 quantity of nourishment: a small proportion of opium, as 

 twenty drops of laudanum, may be given in each, to assist in 

 retaining it within the bowels. Astringent clysters, as starch, 

 rice water, alumine whey, infusion of red roses, or of oak 

 bark, are useful in violent loosenesses. Purging clysters may 

 be made of veal or mutton broth, with a portion of salt or 

 moist sugar in them : the effect may be quickened by adding 

 castor oil or Epsom salts. 



Clysters are very easily administered to dogs, and no appa- 

 ratus is so convenient for the purpose as the common pipe and 

 bladder. The liquid should be warm, but not hot ; the quan- 

 tity from three ounces, to six or eight, according to the size 

 of the dog, &c. : the pipe should be greased previously to 

 its introduction, and the tail held down a minute or two after 

 its removal. 



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