THE OX AND THE DAIRY. 



raised only to come heavily to the ground, till the scene 

 terminates either in convulsions or in a state of torpor. 



Dissection after death shows, very often, an extent and 

 violence of inflammation which are truly astonishing. Not 

 only are the subcutaneous muscles of the abdomen in a 

 state of congestion, but even putrescent ; and the subcuta- 

 neous vessels of the cellular tissue are gorged with black 

 blood. The abdomen is filled with a bloody effusion ; the peri- 

 toneum is more or less universally inflamed, and black gangre- 

 nous patches appear in various parts of the intestines ; the 

 lining or mucous membrane of the intestines is also inflamed 

 and ulcerated ; the liver is enlarged and softened ; the lungs 

 are in a state of congestion, and there is effusion both in the 

 chest and pericardium. The fourth stomach is highly in- 

 flamed, and dry hard layers of food are found in the mani- 

 plus, while the paunch is generally found distended with dry 

 vegetable matters. We do not say that all these morbid 

 appearances present themselves together ; but ulceration, 

 abdominal effusion, and congestion of the lungs, are almost 

 always present. 



When enteritis, or inflammation of the bowels, and espe- 

 cially the small intestines, is accompanied by severe in- 

 flammation of the mucous lining of the fourth stomach or 

 abomasum, the French distinguish the disease by the name 

 of gas tro enteritis. But in gastro-enteritis it is chiefly the 

 mucous membrane of the portion of the intestine succeeding 

 the stomach, viz. the duodenum, which is inflamed. 



With respect to the treatment in pure enteritis, that is, 

 inflammation of the peritoneum, it is very clear that prompt 

 and energetic measures alone can be serviceable. Let not 

 the smallness of the pulse deter from bleeding; blood should 

 be taken even till symptoms of fainting appear ; to this 

 should succeed purgatives, the first a full dose, followed at 

 intervals by smaller doses, till the bowels act freely ; these 

 should be assisted by injections. The abdomen should be 

 fomented with hot water, and blistered, and gruel and 

 mashes alone given. Anodynes, that is, preparations of 

 opium, are very useful. Immediately after bleeding an ano- 

 dyne may be given, half an hour before the aperient medicine ; 

 it may simply consist of half an ounce or an ounce of lauda- 

 num (tinct. opii), or half a drachm of powdered opium (pulv. 

 opii), in gruel. The aperient may consist of nitre (four 

 drachms), cream of tartar (four drachms), castor oil (six 



