DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 157 



containing anodynes (belladonna, hyoscyamus, opium, aconite, 

 tobacco, etc.). 



If the soft, weak, rapid pulse bespeaks already existing 

 effusion, avoid bleeding and laxatives, give one or two drachms 

 of opium by mouth, or, better, one or two grains sulphate ot 

 morphia injected under the skin, repeating as often as may be 

 requisite to moderate suffering and keep the bowls inactive, 

 accompanying this by hot fomentations and counter-irritants. 



In case of improvement feed linseed or oatmeal gruels, boiled 

 linseed, or very sloppy bran mashes only, and in small amount, 

 for several days. If the bowels continue confined give four or 

 five ozs. olive-oil, or three or four ozs. Glauber salts once or 

 twice a day. 



But pnvention is especially to be sought in such a rapidly 

 fatal disease. Regularity and sufficient frequency of feeding, in 

 moderate quantities at a time and of good quality, and a gradual 

 instead of a sudden change of diet, are important. AV^hen new 

 hay or grain, or heating agents like maize or wheat are fed, one 

 feed daily should be replaced by a sloppy bran mash, or one 

 or two ounces of common or Glauber salts added. Avoid full 

 draughts of cold or iced water when sweating and exhausted, 

 and of any water after a meal of grain. 



\ ACUTE MUCO-ENTERITIS. 



All the domestic animals are subject to this form of inflam- 

 mation, chiefly of the mucous membrane of the bowels. The 

 causes are mainly the same as those of hemorrhagic enteritis 

 acting on a less susceptible subject, or with lessened force. 

 These may be named exposure, sudden extreme changes of 

 weather, coarse, dry, fibrous, musty, or otherwise irritant 

 indigestible food, abrupt changes of diet, impure, stagnant, or 

 putrid water, too much water after feeding, or iced water when 

 fatigued and perspiring, drastic or oft-repeated purgatives, sup- 

 pressed perspiration, sand in the food, parasites, and the 



