326 Veterinary Medicine. 



The disease may last a few days only or it may continue for 

 weeks or months. In the last case intestinal catarrh, ulceration, 

 and circumscribed necrosis are likely to supervene and the animal 

 may die of auto-intoxication, acute peritonitis or enteritis. Yet 

 the majority of cases in the dog reach a favorable termination, or 

 recover with remaining cicatrices, strictures or dilatations. 



Treatment. In solipeds accustomed to an idle or pampered 

 life, plenty of daily exercise will often correct the torpor. A run 

 at pasture will often effectually counteract the tendency. If the 

 patient must be kept in the stable a full drink of cold water every 

 morning before feeding will often succeed. Regularity in feeding 

 and watering is of the utmost importance, and the addition of a 

 little wheat bran or flaxseed to the grain is often of material 

 advantage. Next may be added a moderate allowance of carrots, 

 turnips, or ensilage to furnish the needed succulence and organic 

 acids. If in addition medicinal measures are wanted, a small 

 handful of common salt, or of Glauber salts, in the morning 

 drink to be taken ten or fifteen minutes before the first feed, will 

 usually operate well. This may be continued for a length of 

 time if necessary, without the ill effects of purgatives given at 

 other times. It may be rendered slightly more effectual by the 

 addition of 10 grains mix vomica on each occasion, A morning 

 injection of a quart or two of cold water with one or two ounces 

 of glycerine may be tried. Another resort is 2 or 3 grains of 

 barium chloride in the morning drink or hypodermically repeated 

 daily for some time. 



In the more severe cases with already existing impaction of 

 the colon, purgatives and copious injections will be demanded as 

 advised under that disease. 



In dogs the first object is the unloading of the rectum and 

 colon and this usually demands direct mechanical intervention. 

 (See Intestinal Indigestion with Constipation. ) In case of hyper- 

 trophied prostate this may be rendered somewhat difficult, yet 

 with a free use of oily, soapy or mucilaginous injections it can 

 usually be accomplished. 



The further treatment is on the same line as for the soliped. 

 An abundance of exercise in the open air is a prime essential, 

 together with a free access to fresh water. House dogs must be 

 taken out for urination and defecation at regular times that are 



