200 Veterinary Medicine. 



(virtually soporific) dose of chloral hydrate (i oz.) given in so- 

 lution. This is at once a powerful antiferment and an antispas- 

 modic. It is moreover highly volatile and in the heat of the 

 stomach is readily passed on into the duodenum and absorbed. 

 Employed early it not only checks the production of gas, but it 

 relaxes the whole intestinal tract and allows the free passage of 

 accumulated gas which passes off rapidly per anum. 



But in severe cases the gaseous distension is too great to hope 

 for relief by such measures and puncture of the caecum or double 

 colon is the only hopeful resort. This is made with a small 

 trochar and cannula not more than % inch in bore, which is 

 inserted at the point of greatest resonance. The point usually 

 advised, as in the ox, is the centre of the space circumscribed by 

 the last rib, the ilium and the transverse processes of the lumbar 

 vertebrae. A better plan is to percuss and puncture the point 

 where the drum-like resonance is greatest. The higher the 

 puncture the more promising as the cannula is less likely to be 

 blocked by the ingesta which accumulates in the lower part of 

 each viscus. The cannula may be left in place for some time to 

 keep the bowel flaccid and allow time for the restoration of its 

 contractile functions. The cannula may be utilized to inject 

 antiferments (chloral) and peristaltic stimulants (eserine, pilocar- 

 pin, barium chloride). In cases in which puncture is not im- 

 perative these agents may be used hypodermically, or in the veins 

 eserine i yi gr. , pilocarpin 2 grs. or barium chloride 7 grs. 



Enemata of soap-suds, with or without stimulants prove 

 effective in emptying the floating colon and soliciting the action 

 of the large intestines generally and the passage of flatus. 

 Friction of the abdomen and walking exercise are desirable. 

 After recovery a restricted diet, laxatives and bitters serve to 

 restore the lost tone of the alimentary canal. 



