200 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 



forcibly injected, should be resorted to. No medicine should be employed 

 until the most urgent symptoms are abated. Castor oil, the mildest of our 

 purgatives syrup of buckthorn assisting the purgative property of the oil, 

 and containing in its composition as much stimulating power as is safe 

 and the spirit of white poppies the most convenient anodyne to mingle with 

 the other medicines will generally be successful in allaying the irritation 

 already existing, and preventing the development of more. Even this must 

 not be given in too large quantities, and the effect must be assisted by a re- 

 petition of the enemata every fifth or sixth hour. On examination after 

 death the nature of the disease is sufficiently evident : the peritoneum, or 

 portions of it, is highly injected with blood, the veins are turgid, the 

 muscular membrane corrugated and hardened, while often the mucous 

 membrane displays not a trace of disease. In violent cases, however, the 

 whole of the intestines exhibit evidence of inflammation. 



I was much gratified a few years ago in witnessing the decided manner 

 in which Professor Spooner expressed himself with regard to the treat- 

 ment of enteritis in the dog. " I should deem it advisable," said he, 

 " to administer a purgative ; but of what would that consist ? Calomel ? 

 Certainly not. I was surprised to hear one gentleman assert that he should 

 administer it to the extent of from five to ten grains, and another to say 

 that he should not hesitate to exhibit a scruple of calomel to a dog, and to 

 all carnivorous animals. I should never think of exhibiting it as a cathartic. 

 I should only administer it in small doses, and for the purpose of producing 

 its specific effect on the liver, which is the peculiar property of this drug. 

 Given in larger doses it would not be retained, and if it got into the intes- 

 tines it would act as a powerful drastic purgative." a 



In our treatment of the horse we have got rid of a great proportion of 

 the destructive urine-balls and drastic purgatives of the farrier. The 

 cow is no longer drenched with half-a-dozen deleterious stimulants. A 

 most desirable change has been effected in the medical treatment of these 

 animals. Let us not, with regard to the dog, continue to pursue the 

 destructive course of the keeper or the huntsman. 



The following case of enteritis, with rupture of the colon, may be 

 useful : 



On March 15, 1840, I was requested to attend a large dog of the bull 

 breed, three years old, who had not appeared to be well during the last four 

 or five days. 



I had scarcely arrived ere I recognised it to be a case of enteritis. He had 

 a dreadful shivering fit, to which succeeded heat of the skin and restlessness. 

 The muzzle was dry and hot, as also was the tongue. The eyes were sunken 

 and redder than usual ; the breathing was accelerated, but not very labori- 

 ous ; the extremities were cold, while the surface of the body was hot and 

 painful to the touch. The bowels were constipated, and had been so 

 during the last week ; some dung however was evacuated, but it was hard 

 and dry, and in small quantities. The pulse was quick, but full ; and 

 there was a slight pain and considerable irritation in the rectum. I took 

 from him 5x. of blood before the desired effect was produced, and then gave 

 him tinct. opii gr.xiv., et spt. ether, nit. gutt. viij., cum ol. ricini jiij., and 

 an opiate enema to allay the irritation of the rectum. This was about 8 

 o'clock A.M. 



a Proceedings of the Veterinary Medical Association, 1839-40. 



