Acute Gastric Indigestion in Solipeds. 161 



trochar should be directed inward and slightly backward and 

 pushed until solid resistance at its point ceases. As the intestines 

 are usually tympanitic as well it may be requisite to puncture also 

 the caecum and colon, to restore the peristalsis of the alimentary 

 tract generally. Antiseptics such as sulphurous acid, the sulphites, 

 or hyposulphites, calcium chloride, bleaching powder, potassium 

 permanganate or chloral hydrate, may be introduced through 

 the cannula or by the mouth. 



As far as the stomach is concerned, an effective relief can be 

 had through the probang or stomach pump. A small one-half 

 inch hollow probang may be safely passed through the nose and 

 gullet into the stomach, and any gas or liquid allowed to escape. 

 This may act as a syphon or with proper attachments this may 

 be fixed to a stomach pump and the viscus exhausted of all avail- 

 able liquid, after which an equal amount is pumped in and again 

 withdrawn, Until the contents are reduced to a normal amount. 

 The water pumped in may be rendered antiseptic by sodium chlo- 

 ride, sodium bisulphite, or other antiferment, so that further ex- 

 trication of gas will be prevented. If it is necessary to use the 

 ordinary probang or stomach tube introduced through the mouth, 

 great care must be taken in introducing it to see that the soft 

 palate does not deflect it downward into the larynx. Its presence 

 in the gullet above and beyond the larynx canbe felt by manipu- 

 lation from without, and until this is ascertained it should on no 

 account be pushed onward. 



The importance of a measure of mechanical relief such as this, 

 is the greater that the stomach of the soliped is non-absorbing, 

 and relief from undue pressure of contents can only be had by 

 their passage upward or downward. Then again, the horse 

 cannot vomit like the carnivora and omnivora, nor regurgitate 

 like ruminants, and if left to himself with engorged stomach, his 

 case is hopeless indeed. 



The contingent weakness in cases of recovery may demand 

 careful feeding and a course of bitter tonics. 



ii 



