CONSTIPATION. 433 



stered while the hind quarters are raised, as recommended by Mr. 

 J. G. Rutherford (p. 423). If the belly be distended with gas, 

 give 2 oz. of turpentine with the oil. The animal should be 

 moderately exercised, provided he be not troubled with flatulency. 

 If these measures do not produce the desired effect, give 2 drachms 

 of belladonna in a ball, or made up into a soft mass with treacle, 

 and placed between the horse's back teeth, so that he may gradually 

 swallow it. The amount of belladonna can be increased to 3 or 4 

 drachms in urgent cases accompanied by pain. The belladonna 

 can be repeated in half its previous amount, after a few hours, 

 if necessary. 



Belladonna increases the worm-like motion of the bowels, with- 

 out causing a watery discharge into them, and also allays pain. 

 It is specially indicated, if the constipation is accompanied by 

 colicky pains. The linseed oil is useful in softening and lubricating 

 the undigested mass of food. The turpentine checks the evolution 

 of gas, and also increases the action of the bowels. Ample time 

 should be allowed for these drugs to act. Opium should on no 

 account be employed; as it checks the action of the intestines. 

 In human practice, good results are often obtained by an enema 

 of about a drachm of glycerine, which, however, has only a local 

 effect in clearing out the rectum. " Glycerine undiluted irritates 

 the mucous membrane and even the skin by abstracting Avater. 

 Hence its laxative effect'' {Finlay Dun). Half a pint of it may 

 be given as an enema by means of a catheter. An enema of 1 

 gallon of warm soap and water, J pint of castor oil and 1 pint of 

 glycerine has been recommended when the rectum is filled with 

 hard dung (rectal impaction). 



No harm can be done by keeping the horse for ten days or a 

 fortnight on nothing but water and molasses (say, 3-lbs. daily), 

 which are not only nutritious and very digestible, but also have 

 a laxative effect. Allowing him, on the contrary, an amount of 

 solid food which would be moderate at other times, might fatally 

 complicate matters during an attack of constipation. Many in- 

 stances are on record of horses living for over three weeks on 

 nothing but water. 



The absence of intestinal rumbling or murmurs, which may be 

 heard in the healthy horse, on applying the ear to the side of the 

 belly, is the characteristic symptom of paralysis of the bowels. 

 " Another may be mentioned of not unfrequent occurrence, espe- 

 cially if the paralysis be in the lower intestines, namely, a dilated, 

 dry, and non-contractile condition of the rectum, which feels, when 

 the hand is introduced, as a large cavity with passive walls" 

 (Williams). The condition of paralysis may be overcome by giving 

 a drachm of nux vomica twice a day, as well as the linseed oil. 



28 



