SUBACUTE OBSTRUCTION OF SMALL INTESTINES 137 



obtained a normal action of the bowels, he may continue 

 with calomel in small doses to clear the intestine of the 

 accumulated bile. He should, at the same time, put the 

 animal upon a course of such medicines as are known to 

 favourably influence liver functions, and so increase the 

 bile secretion. 



Probably the most suitable remedy in this case is one 

 of the mineral acids. Before reaching the circulation, 

 acids must pass through the liver, where they appear to set 

 free biliary acids, and stimulate expulsion of bile from 

 the liver and gall-bladder. ^ The acid to be preferred is 

 nitric or nitro-hydrochloric, and the following draught 

 should be administered twice daily for three or four days : 



I^. Acidi nitrici dil. - - - - o^- 



Aqnam - ad O.i. 



Misce ; fiat haust. 



Should the practitioner decide not to administer the 

 acid, he may, now^ that the obstruction is removed, 

 employ aloes with advantage. Prescribed in i -drachm 

 doses once daily for three or four days, combined w^ith 

 ginger, gentian, or other \'egetable tonics, it w^ill exert a 

 mild cathartic action, removing the bile from the intes- 

 tines and stimulating the liver into activity. 



These attacks of duodenal obstruction, w^hen the liver 

 is to any great extent implicated, appear always to leave 

 the animal in a state of great weakness and prostration — 

 perhaps better described as want of tone and general 

 lassitude. An easily digested diet is therefore called for, 

 and the animal should be treated as convalescent for 

 some considerable time. The simpler the diet, the 

 better — bran with a few crushed oats and a liberal 

 supply of good hay being all-sufficient. What water he 



^ ' Veterinary Medicines ' (Finlay Dun), p. 178. 



