1 82 VETERINARY IIOMCEOPATHY. 



due to impaction of hard, dry faeces shaped like balls, and gener- 

 ally black in color; the anus instead of being protruded and 

 relaxed as in Nux vomica is constricted; except in cases of twist 

 the abdomen is retracted and the horse has a tucked-up appear- 

 ance, but when the obstruction is due to impacted faeces the abdo- 

 men is swollen and distended; this remedy is also very effectual 

 in cases of obstruction arising from hernia (rupture) when the 

 intestines protrude through the walls of the abdomen in the form 

 of a tumor, but such cases are very rare except in foals and stal- 

 lions; in the former they take place generally at the navel and are 

 known as umbilicai^ hernia; while in the stallion the tumor 

 appears in the scrotum, the seat of the testicles, and is known as 

 SCROTAi^ HERNIA; whenever a hernia is found in an aged horse, 

 it usually takes the form of strangulated hernia which in- 

 volves a constriction of the intestine so that the contents cannot 

 pass onward, and consequently the circulation of the blood is 

 arrested in that part. 



Belladonna 3X serves to assist in cases of twist where inflam- 

 mation is set up; a swollen and very bright red condition of the 

 lining membrane of the eyes; a firm, hard, resistant swelling in 

 the abdomen on the course of the large colon with an indication 

 of sharp griping pains at one particular spot, recognizable by the 

 horse pointing with his nose repeatedly to the same place may be 

 accepted as the symptomatic of this drug. 



^Accessory treatment. — The first thing to do in cases of 

 this description is to make careful manual exploration of the 

 rectum; well oil the hand and arm and empty the bowel of its 

 contents, then search for either a calculus in the single colon or 

 the presence of the cord-like condition of the intestine suggestive 

 of twisted bowels; should neither of these be observed, it will be 

 desirable to invoke the aid of a enema pump — an instrument 

 specially used for the purpose — and therewith inject three or 

 four gallons of water raised to blood heat into the intestines; in 

 the case of calculus this proceeding may assist its displacement or 

 if a twist it may afford mechanical aid in reducing it; under any 

 circumstances the warm application will be grateful to the sufferer 

 and it will aid in locating whatever faeces lie behind the obstruc- 

 tion. Beyond this and the regular administration of the most 

 suitable remedy every hour or so little can be suggested; should 



