Clysters. 127 



fuller and more distinct, or the strong pulse of considera- 

 ble fever is evidently softer, or the animal exhibits symp- 

 toms of faintness. 



It is important to distinguish between the pulse of fe- 

 ver and that of inflammation. We may have a pulse of 

 the greatest rapidity, as in influenza, and yet no one part 

 of the body much inflamed. We have known the pulse 

 of the horse more than tripled, and the animal still re- 

 cover ; and, on the other hand, in cases of inflammation, a 

 pulse of 60 has betokened great danger, and, in some ca- 

 ses, has been succeeded by death. 



CLYSTERS. 



The principal art of administering a clyster consists in 

 not frightening the horse. The pipe, well oiled, should 

 be very gently introduced, and the fluid not too hastily 

 thrown into the intestine ; its heat being as nearly as 

 possible that of the intestine, or about 96^ of Fahren- 

 heit's thermometer. 



These are useful in hastening the evacuation of the 

 bowels when the disease requires their speedy action. 



Two ounces of soft or yellow soap, dissolved in a gal- 

 lon of warm water, will form a useful aperient clyster. 

 For a more active aperient, half a pound of Epsom salts, 

 or even of common salt, may be dissolved in the same quali- 

 ty of water. A stronger injection, but not to be used if 

 much purgative medicine has been previously given, may 

 be composed of an ounce of Barbadoes aloes, dissolved 

 in two or three quarts of warm water. If nothing else 

 can be procured, warm water may be employed. 



In cases of over-purging or inflammation of the bowels, 

 the injection must be of a soothing nature. It may con- 

 sist of gruel alone, or, if the purging is considerable, and 



