30 



wLat tLo paralysis depends. Treatment comprises withdrawal 

 of aliineut until the stomach regains its tone and then the gradual 

 administration of easily digestible food combined with antispas- 

 modics. It is the food accumulating in the oesophagus which 

 induces mortification and the fatal result — if some of the food 

 has already become impacted measures must be taken to free the 

 passage, firstly by fomentations and external manipulations over 

 the course of the oesophagus and then, if these do not prove suc- 

 cessful, the surgeon will perform the operation of incision into the 

 gullet rather than allow mortification to aet in. There is no dan- 

 ger in making a bold cut down on to the distended gullet but the 

 wound is apt to take a long time to heal. As after treatment the 

 administration of stomachics and astringent tonics such as 

 Chiretta and Gentian is indicated, but not the more powerful 

 stimulants, such as chillies, pepper, &c. 



The Intestines. I.V.S. Steel records the length of the Bowels of 

 a male elephant, 9^ feet at the shoulder, destroyed at Poena, 23rd 

 May 1882 : — Small Intestines, 76 feet; Cajcum, 5 ft. ; Colon, 20 

 ft. ; Rectum, 12 ft. ; Total Large Intestine, 37 ft. j Total length of 

 Intestinal Ti'act, 113 feet. The Bowels in appearance resemble 

 those of the Horse — the Cascum presents three longitudinal 

 muscular bands and is puckered to form numerous pouches. The 

 valve between stomach and bowels is large and strong. 



The Digestive Apparatus being somewhat similar to that of 

 the Horse we might anticipate a corresponding agreement of 

 disorders, as, to an extent, is the case. Thus we find on record 

 cases of Spasmodic Colic with Intussusception in consequence ;" 

 also. Flatulent CoUc and Enteritis — but are by uo means pre- 

 pared for Gilchrist's account of vomition being frequent although 

 no medicinal agent is known to cause emesis in the Elephant. The 

 General Symptoms of Abdominal Pain are restlessness, crossing 

 the hind legs or resting one hind foot on the other, lying and 

 rising very often, lashing the sides with the tail, opening the 

 mouth very wide frequently, inserting the trunk (which seems 

 Blirunken) into it, and champing the jaws. Simple Colic : is 

 characterised by axulden access of abdominal pain which occurs in 

 paroxysms, and is indicated by the abovcmentioned symptoms 

 to be severe while it lasts. No fever is present — but the bowels 

 are generally somewhat torpid. It results from some kind of 



