62 COLICS AND THEIR TREATMENT 



A single tube, smooth, pliable, soft and with a lumen 

 large enough to allow solids to flow out freely is the 

 ideal one to select. A harsh or hard tube is a dangerous 

 weapon. Our old tubes which have become stretched 

 and soft from long use we regard as precious instru- 

 ments. In fact, we always deplore the necessity of 

 "breaking in" a new one, when finally an old one is worn 

 out. A rattan stylet is an essential adjunct to a soft tube 

 as it of itself is too pliable to pass through the tortuous 

 route to the stomach without something to stiffen it. 

 A large soft tube with a lumen much larger than the di- 

 ameter of the stylet is such a pliable, yielding object that 

 it is perfectly compatible with the route over which it 

 must travel and with the delicate tissues upon which it 

 must sojourn during the more or less protracted opera- 

 tion. These facts have been so conspicuously revealed to 

 us that we no longer regard them as controvertible or 

 even subjects for further discussion. 



Selection of the Passage 



As to the route through which to pass a hose to the 

 stomach of a horse, we have found the nasal route the 

 more satisfactory. When the oral route is chosen the 

 mouth must either be held open with a mouth speculum 

 or else tied shut with a strap or rope. Both of these 

 maneuvers require precious time, and are always op- 

 posed vigorously by the patient ; furthermore, the op- 

 position is usually continued during the whole procedure, 

 in marked contrast to the remarkable complacency with 

 which the patient always allows a tube to rest in the 

 nose throughout the procedure, however protracted. The 

 nasal route has the disadvantage of an occasional epis- 



