Diarrhoea, Scouriug. 315 



canal must be equally guarded against. An abundance of mucil- 

 aginous and demulcent liquids (mallow, flaxseed gruel, boiled 

 starch, etc. ) may be given both by the mouth and anus, to sheathe 

 and protect the irritable mucous membrane and to dilute and 

 carry off the irritant contents. Moderate doses of opium may be 

 required to allay the violence of the spasms and peristalsis, but 

 this should not be pushed to the extent of locking up the irri- 

 tants. Sometimes antiseptics (naphthalin, salol) are useful to 

 check fermentation, and pepsin may be given to assist digestion. 



In ordinary cases due to the presence of an irritant the first 

 object must be to relieve the bowels of this, and the second to 

 soothe the irritated mucous membrane. A laxative is usually all 

 that is required, but it must be a mild one so as not to add to 

 already existing irritation. Olive or castor oil are to be preferred 

 as a rule (horse and ox 1 pint ; sheep and swine 4 ounces ; dog ^ 

 ounce), alone or with a moderate dose of laudanum. Or rhubarb 

 or aloes may be substituted if desired. A dose of whisky or 

 brandy, or oil of turpentine will often do much to allay the secre- 

 tion and peristalsis. These should be followed by moderate doses 

 of flaxseed gruel, or solution of slippery elm or mallow, or simple 

 well boiled gruels. 



If the discharge persists after the laxative has had time to 

 operate, these mucilaginous agents may be replaced by solutions 

 of boiled starch, or of gum arabic, and small doses of calmatives 

 such as laudanum (horse or ox 1 ounce, sheep or pig 2 drachms, 

 dog 20 drops), or prussic acid or cyanide of potassium (30 drops 

 of the acid or grains of the salt for horse or cow). Sub-carbonate 

 of- bismuth, chalk, and carminatives and antiseptics may also be 

 given. According to the indications the practitioner must combat 

 persistent intestinal fermentation, or a relaxed adynamic condi- 

 tion of the intestinal mucosa, or general weakness and exhaus- 

 tion, with such agents as seem best adapted to the individual 

 case. 



Chronic cases will demand the exercise of much judgment. 

 After a gentle laxative, salts of iron (sulphate, chloride,) and 

 pure bitters may be given with antiseptics. Or vegetable astrin- 

 gents' (catechu, kino) with freshly burned charcoal and essen- 

 tial oils (peppermint, cloves, cajeput) may be employed. In 

 some instances calomel and chalk (1:12 will serve a good 



