136 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



One further point in the treatment and I have done. 

 It is important, however. On no account should the 

 constant throwing into the rectum of warm enemata be 

 neglected. I had almost said they should be * hot.' At 

 any rate, they should be as near that as prudence directs. 

 The rectum is ballooned, and fluid thrown in is retained 

 some little while. Although not in actual contact with 

 the obstruction itself, such fluid occupies as nearly that 

 position as one could wish, only the thin walls of the 

 rectum and the colon lying between it and the offending 

 substance. I am unaware of any proved process by 

 which such fluid may percolate through or become 

 absorbed. It certainly appears, however, that some 

 such process is in operation, or that the continual 

 application of warmth by this means to the wall of the 

 colon excites it to increased secretion. At any rate, the 

 obstruction is slowly but plainly softened.^ 



To do good, these enemata must be frequent. Hourly 

 injections are not at all too frequent. Far from irritating 

 the patient, as one might perhaps expect, they appear to 

 exert a soothing influence, and play a safe and effectual 

 part in bringing about resolution. 



^ See here also Chapter XIII., on 'Intestinal Irrigation in 

 Obstructions of the Colon,' and refer to the case on page 169. 



