SUBACUTE OBSTRUCTION OF THE DOUBLE COLON 95 



active, the mucous membranes icteric, the bowels sluggish, 

 and the faeces coated with mucus, with a hot, dry, and 

 furred condition of the mouth. A few doses of ammonia 

 here will, by stimulating gland function, rapidly alter these 

 conditions. In the stomach and intestines ammonia acts 

 as an antacid and antitympanitic. It is useful in acute 

 or subacute indigestion in horses and cattle when pur- 

 gatives have failed to act, and the animal shows signs 

 of exhaustion, alternated with strychnine or nux vomica. 

 In the early stages of tympany, the liquor or the car- 

 bonate unites with the liberated carbonic acid, and fixes 

 it, and in any stage is beneficial by stimulating the 

 mucous membrane to increased activity, by rousing 

 nervous energy, and by assisting in preventing decom- 

 position.' 



Like Professor Walley, I can speak from experience 

 as to the beneficial actions of this drug in subacute 

 indigestion, and I prefer the carbonate for these reasons : 

 it is less volatile and rather more permanent in its actions 

 than the hydrate ; also it is more easy of administration, 

 as it may conveniently be given in the form of a bolus. 



(c) Nux Vomica. — I consider the use of this drug to 

 be specially indicated in the treatment of subacute obstruc- 

 tion. It is a gastric, vascular, and nervous tonic, and 

 antiparalysant ; and considering that I have already 

 pointed out that the condition we are to treat in this 

 disorder is mainly one of nervous atony and spasm of the 

 bowel, it must be apparent to everyone that none but the 

 most favourable results will follow its administration. 

 I must not finish my remarks on this drug, however, 

 without a brief reference to two articles in the Journal of 

 Comparative Patholgy and Therapeutics (vol. v.). Two cases 

 are reported there of salivation caused by the administra- 

 tion of nux vomica in 3i. and 3ii. doses respectively. 



