INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES. 135 



do little good, but may do a great deal of harm, by forcing the 

 impacted contents into a more solid mass. The hardened matter 

 should be carefully broken and separated by the finger, or by a 

 forceps, or the handle of a spoon ; and it may then be brought 

 away piecemeal. If this cannot be effected, or the faecal mass be 

 situated completely without our reach, clysters should be constantly 

 kept up the intestines ; that is, as soon as one comes away another 

 ought to be thrown up. The dog should also be put into a warm 

 bath frequently, which often proves the most effectual means of 

 removing obstinate costiveness. Medicines by the mouth are not 

 to be neglected, particularly where the obstruction does not exist 

 within the reach of the finger ; on the contrary, a large dose of 

 castor oil may be first tried, which, if it fails to open the bowels, 

 should give place to stronger means. From three to six or eight 

 grains of calomel may be mixed with from half a drachm to one or 

 two drachms of aloes, according to the size and strength of the 

 dog. If the stomach should reject the first dose, add a quarter of 

 a grain of opium to the second ; or a dose of Epsom salts dissolved 

 in broth may be tried. Fortunately for medicine, we have now a 

 purgative so subtle and minute, that even a drop put on the tongue 

 proves a powerful laxative. The croton oil acts as powerfully on 

 dogs as on the human subject, and therefore in these cases should 

 be tried. Repeat the purge, whatever it may be, every three or 

 four hours, until it operates. 



In the third inflammation ( enteritis ) , or that which comes on 

 spontaneously from irritation or from the efiect of cold, the early 

 symptoms are more acute ; great heat, thirst, panting, and restless- 

 ness, are apparent even from the first attack. The stomach is in- 

 cessantly sick, and throws off all its contents, mixed oftentimes 

 with biliary matter, and all food is refused, but water is sometimes 

 sought for with anxiety. The belly is extremely hot, and painful 

 to the touch ; the eyes are red, and the mouth and nose are alter- 

 nately hot and cold. The animal frequently lies on his stomach, 

 expresses great anxiety in his countenance, and the pulse is ex- 

 tremely quick but small. Enteritis may be distinguished from 



