Rete7ition of the Meconium 1043 



between the stretching, or rolling as in colic, and the bright 

 intervals when the foal again sucks. 



In one instance observed by us, in addition to these general 

 symptoms there was a morbid appetite, which led the young foal 

 to devour quantities of hay and straw, which added very much 

 to the intestinal obstruction. 



The symptoms above related are characteristic, and in them- 

 selves are well-nigh diagnostic, especially the peculiar stretching 

 with the dropping of the back when the animal is standing. In 

 almost all cases the diagnosis can be readily and completely veri- 

 fied by inserting the index finger into the anus, where the hard 

 pellets of meconium are readily felt and recognized. 



In foals, especially those of value, the caretaker should observe 

 the new-born animal closely, and see that the meconium is ex- 

 pelled within an hour. Should such expulsion not occur, the 

 caretaker should at once take measures to bring it about. The 

 best means for this is enemas of warm water, to which some soda 

 bicarbonate or i % of common salt has been added. Solutions 

 of soap or other irritants should be carefully avoided, as they 

 cause straining by the pain which they induce. It is not strain- 

 ing that we wish to accomplish by the enema. Instead, it is de- 

 sired to soften and macerate the dry pellets so that they will be 

 easily expelled, and to this end it is important that only a small 

 amount of a bland liquid shall be gently introduced into the 

 rectum at a given time. We have usually found that one pint 

 of the liquid at a time is ample, and sometimes even less should 

 be used. The amount should be so gauged that the little patient 

 will not throw it out immediately, but that it will remain in the 

 rectum for some time in order to accomplish the maceration 

 desired. 



Care should be taken, in administering enemas, to avoid in- 

 juring the anus or rectum. It is especially desirable to avoid 

 using a large metallic or wooden nozzle upon a syringe, because 

 when the intestine is so firmly impacted with dry pellets of me- 

 conium there is constant and serious danger of the rigid nozzle 

 gliding to one side and rupturing the intestinal wall, inducing a 

 fatal lesion. It is preferable to use some other apparatus than 

 the ordinary enema syringe. A very convenient implement is 

 the ordinary bulb syringe, or the fountain syringe used in house- 

 holds. Sometimes it is desirable to introduce the enema deeply 



