SUPERPURGATION 217 



If the flagging system appears to demand it, a stiff 

 dose of some diffusible stimulant will be found beneficial. 

 Ten to fifteen ounces of good brandy, or a suitable dose 

 of spirits of nitrous ether, methylated ether, or the 

 aromatic spirits of ammonia, will do all that is needed. 



The combined effects of the purging and the taking of 

 the sedatives will sooner or later cause an intense desire 

 for drink. Advantage should be taken of the animal's 

 thirst to induce him to swallow small quantities of 

 wheaten-flour gruel or other emollient drink. This I 

 have always found better to give cold, for oftentimes the 

 drinking of only a few mouthfuls of something cool and 

 refreshing will tempt the animal to pick a little solid food 

 • — a few handfuls of hay or a small quantity of corn. 

 This will go far to bring the stomach and intestines to 

 their normal tone, and stay the purging. 



Some practitioners pin their faith to opium. Unless 

 the case is one of great urgency, I do not recommend it. 

 Following its administration we are often immediately 

 jumped from the extreme of violent purging to the height 

 ^ of absolute stasis and tympany. It is hard indeed to say 

 which is the worse condition of the two. 



In conclusion, I feel it necessary to remind the reader 

 that this chapter has not pretended to treat of acute 

 diarrhoea arising from other causes, as, e.g., the ingestion 

 of irritating or fermenting foods. In those cases the 

 extreme sedative treatment I have recommended is not 

 to be advised. The action of the bowels should not, then, 

 be checked too rapidly. Rather, if the patient's strength 

 will admit, should they be aided in ridding themselves of 

 the offending materials. 



No fixed rules for the treatment of ordinary purging 

 can be laid down with any safety — so much must be 

 left to the good sense and judgment of the medical 



