INTESTINAL IRRIGATION 167 



The eserine had failed to act. The puls^ was sHghtly 

 quicker, and the impacted intestine in the pelvis still 

 present. I again repeated the ammonium carbonate 

 balls, minus the nux vomica, and administered a further 

 pint of oil. At the same time I injected copious warm 

 enemas, medicated with soap liniment. 



June II, y a.m. — I was disappointed to find that the 

 case showed no improvement. The pulse had risen to 

 80, and the mucous membranes were becoming injected. 

 No ease had been shown since my last visit. The case 

 was undoubtedly becoming worse. I again repeated the 

 balls and stimulating enemas, and injected a further dose 

 of eserine. 



12 noon. — The eserine had again failed to act, and all 

 the symptoms were becoming gradually aggravated. 

 There were constant straining efforts to defaecate, and 

 enemas were quickly expelled, as clear as when injected. 

 In my own mind I recognised a dying case, though I 

 still persisted in giving stimulants and oil. 



10.30 p.m. — Animal gradually succumbing. I had 

 now reached the end of my tether, and, more as a forlorn 

 hope than in any other spirit, I injected a further and 

 larger dose of eserine — this time 2 grains. I gave 

 the owner a fatal prognosis, and promised to call again 

 in the morning. 



June 12, 7 a.7n. — The case had slowly gone from bad to 

 worse, and the mare was now evidently dying. No 

 further treatment was attempted, and the animal expired 

 some time shortly after noon. I made arrangements 

 with the owner for a post-mortem to be held the 

 same day. 



Autopsy. — The knowledge gained from this was 

 simple enough, though painful in the extreme. Every 

 portion of the intestinal tract appeared healthy. In no 

 part could be found faeces of more than a semi-solid 

 consistence — save, of course, the impacted portion — 

 neither were the bowel contents abnormally excessive. 

 The impacted intestine was quickly withdrawn from the 

 pelvis, and turned out to be a portion of the single colon, 



