200 YKTERINARV HOMCEOPATHY. 



are of a decidedlj' fluid character, but in a more intensified form 

 it influences the muscular walls of the intestines to more energetic 

 peristaltic action, the evidence of which is quite clear from the 

 violent manner in which the faeces are ejected from the anus; its 

 action upon the liver is ver}' marked, inasmuch as the secretion of 

 bile is considerably increased; over and above these the whole of 

 the abdomen and its contents is very congested, there being a 

 decided determination of blood to the whole of the viscera; when 

 administered in quanties beyond the natural ability of the patient 

 to bear, super-purgation is readily established which may be fol- 

 lowed by inflammation of the intestines, and under such circum- 

 stances the chances of recovery are remote. The effect of an 

 ordinary dose of Aloes upon a horse is at all times trying, and 

 vuider the most favorable circumstances many days must elapse 

 before the effects pass off; the animal has to be again built up by 

 careful attention and feeding before its previous robust condition 

 is attained. An idea is entertained by the majority of men who 

 have to do with horses that purgatives are necessary every now 

 and again to expel impurities from the body, and when after the 

 administration of a purge the fasces smell very badly, they tri- 

 umphantly point to the fact in proof of their theory; the real fact 

 is that Aloes and many other purgative drugs have such an effect 

 upon the intestinal canal that the unpleasant smell is really due 

 to the drugs and w^ould not have been observed but for the action 

 of the drugs themselves; this fact may always be observed how- 

 ever good the previous health of the animal. 



One of the bad effects of the action of purgatives, more espec- 

 ially as regards those that unduly stimulate the numerous secre- 

 tory glands situate in the mucous membrane of the intestines is 

 that a large quantity of blood is drawn to these parts, the glands 

 pour out their natural secretion in excessive quantities, thereby 

 impairing their future usefulness; a general debilit}^ of these 

 glands is the consequence, they are unable thereafter to secrete a 

 normal quantity of their proper fluids, the ingesta is therefore but 

 partially dissolved and digested, the faeces are abnormally dry, 

 chronic constipation is established, the necessary nutriment is not 

 available from the food passing through the canal, and the horse 

 becomes weak and unthrifty; such may be accepted as the natural 

 consequences of frequent purgation. 



