INTESTINAL IRRIGATION 153 



until the quantity being injected must liave far exceeded 

 that dribbling out. At this period of the injecting, the 

 ear applied to the left Hank could plainly hear the water 

 running in. What was more pleasing still to hear was 

 a loud rumbHng and disturbance of the intestines. 



After keeping the stream going for about ten minutes, 

 during which time several gallons must have found a 

 way into the colon, the tube was withdrawn. Beyond 

 a slight shivering of the haunches, no ill effects were 

 noticed. Indeed, the reverse was the case, for the pulse 

 dropped to near the normal in number, and gained 

 decidedly in tone. The animal appeared more cheerful, 

 and even partook of a small feed. After doing so, he 

 again showed dull pains, but the general condition was 

 distinctly improving. 



The quantity of water injected could now better be 

 estimated by the frequent evacuations made by the 

 animal. From the time of the injection at four o'clock 

 until as late as six or seven he passed out at frequent 

 intervals a stream of water. At first this came away 

 quite clear ; later it was stained a muddy yellow ; later 

 still there came with it long strings of pale yellow mucus 

 and choppy pieces of ingesta. Nothing further was done 

 with the animal that night. 



Tuesday, 10 a.m. — Animal still showing dull pains. A 

 rectal examination was again made. Even now, after 

 the lapse of seventeen or eighteen hours, the rectum was 

 found full of a faeces-stained lluid. The obstruction was 

 still present, but pcvcepiihiy softcv. The irrigation was 

 repeated in the same manner, and followed by the same 

 results. 



4 p.m. — Patient decidedly easier. Repeated the irriga- 

 tion, and administered a stimulant to promote warmth. 

 The animal was then left for the night. 



Wednesday, cj p.m. — Horse quite easy. He had eaten 

 a good feed, and passed several heaps of faeces of normal 

 consistence. From this time he made an uninterrupted 

 recovery. 



Remarks. — The striking feature in these cases is the 

 impunity w^ith which large quantities of cold water may 



