FOOD AND FEEDING 663 



from feeding an exclusively nitrogenous diet in these cases, 

 as the oxidizing power of the blood is not sufficient to de- 

 compose it, neither is it safe or advisable to quickly remove 

 the fat, as cardiac failure might ensue. Small quantities of 

 water are allowed, given two hours after feeding. The gen- 

 eral ration should be rich in proteids and also contain a 

 moderate amount of fat and carbohydrates. 



ARTIFICIAL FEEDING. 



Artificial feeding consists in the introduction of food 

 into the body other than in the ordinary way by the mouth. 

 Rectal feeding is the only procedure of much value. The 

 agents employed must be bland, and capable of easy absorp- 

 tion and assimilation. If the food is at all irritating, tenes- 

 mus and ejection quickly occur. From two to four ounces 

 of liquid nourishment may be given to small or medium- 

 sized dogs ; from four to eight ounces to large dogs. One 

 quart may be employed for horses. The nutrient enema 

 should be introduced into the bowel through a flexible 

 rubber tube carried up into the colon. An hour before the 

 enema is given the bowel is to be washed out thoroughly 

 with cold water. The nutrient injection should not be given 

 oftener than once in six hours, and if the bowel is irritable, 

 not oftener than once in twelve hours. The absorptive 

 power of the rectum is slight, but that of the colon is con- 

 siderably greater. Predigested food is most valuable. 

 Leube's Beef Peptone may be used. A bullock's pancreas 

 is finely chopped and rubbed up with eight ounces of gly- 

 cerin. This extract will keep fresh several weeks in a cold 

 place. To one-third of the extract are added five ounces of 

 finely chopped beef, and the mixture is ready for immediate 

 use. The peptonizing powders of Fairchild Brothers & 

 Foster are most convenient in preparing digested food. 

 Each powder consists of five grains of pancreatic extract and 

 fifteen grains of sodium bicarbonate. 



A useful nutrient enema for a large dog may be made 

 of two eggs and six ounces of milk. Four to six eggs may be 



