44 GENERAL THERAPEUTICS FOR VETERINARIANS 



after the administration of the neutral salts. Usually, however, 

 the secretory activity of the kidneys is reduced by cathartics. 

 This is also the case with the sweat glands. Another effect of the 

 increased secretion of the intestinal glands is the elimination of 

 infectious material, metabolic products and poisons from the 

 blood. Emptying the intestinal canal withdraws nourishment 

 and more or less disturbance of the appetite, and digestion is also 

 associated with catharsis. Finally the drastics, like cutaneous 

 irritants, by irritating the sensory nerves in the intestinal mucous 

 membrane exert reflexly a general stimulant action upon the 

 nervous system, affecting the animal as well as the vegetative 

 functions. In this action the principle of counter irritation plays 

 an important role. 



Use of Cathartics. — On account of their manifold action 

 cathartics are employed in the treatment of a large number of dis- 

 eases. 



1. Constipation and depressed peristalsis in the course of 

 intestinal catarrhs, constipation-colic in horses, fecal stasis in dogs, 

 and high fever with suppressed intestinal secretions. 



2. Overfeeding of herbivora; also the presence of foreign 

 bodies, poisons, parasites, bacteria, and toxins in the intestines. 



3. Diarrhoeas and gastric catarrhs due to fermenting food- 

 masses or infectious materials in the intestines. These conditions 

 occur in dysentery, canine distemper, influenza of horses, swine 

 erysipelas and fowl cholera. Calomel is especially indicated in 

 these conditions because it is also disinfectant. 



4. Liver diseases, especially catarrhal icterus. 



5. Hyperaemia and inflammation of the lungs, pleura, brain, 

 spinal cord, skin (urticaria), pododerm (laminitis; arecoline) and 

 udder (mastitis). In these conditions cathartics are used for their 

 derivative and antiphlogistic effects. 



6. Dropsical conditions; also to assist the resorption of fluid 

 and solid exudates. 



7. Acute and chronic nephritis, and uraemia. The compensa- 

 tory increase in the secretions of the intestinal glands relieves the 

 kidneys in these conditions. 



