ENTERITIS. 121 
When the caretaker is in doubt as to whether or not the oil should be given, 
it would be better that he assume the affirmative. But instead of administering it 
by the mouth, he should inject the same quantity into the bowel; and to repeat 
such injection of oil at intervals of from twelve to twenty-four hours would be 
advisable, until the patient was decidedly better. 
When the first dose of oil taken is by the mouth, it would be wise to after- 
ward administer injections of the same at the intervals stated, and until improve- 
ment is evident; for by this means the inflamed bowel will be kept continually 
free from all irritating particles, and at rest. 
Aside from acting well locally in such cases, olive-oil has a very decided 
effect upon some of the constitutional symptoms, especially the fever, which if 
high it speedily reduces, and generally keeps down as long as the injections 
are persisted in, and accumulations of irritating substances are thus prevented. 
In every attack of enteritis an opiate should be given at regular intervals, 
from the first; and laudanum, the dose being graduated as in colic, suggests. 
itself as the most convenient. As to the frequency of the doses, that must. 
depend upon the intensity of the pain. Ordinarily once in two or three hours 
will be near right. 
The subnitrate of bismuth promises quite as well in enteritis as in diarrhea, 
consequently it should be given continuously as advised for the latter, whether 
or not there is vomiting. 
In the matter of diet, manifestly only those articles that are easily digestible ” 
should be chosen; and milk, raw eggs, scraped raw beef, and meat jellies are 
eminently suitable. 
In fatal cases of enteritis in puppies, caused by worms, it is generally found 
that the inflammation is not diffuse, but occurs here and there along the intes- 
tine, in quite large patches, with surfaces between each that are unaffected or 
merely irritated. 
The removal of the troublesome tenants is, of course, the first indication. 
A vermifuge having been given, the inflammation if slight should subside with- 
out treatment. But where the puppies are very young they soon succumb to 
disease, consequently it is scarcely safe to long rely wholly upon nature to effect. 
a cure; and if the discharges do not speedily improve in number and character, 
remedies should be addressed to them. Those recommended for diarrhcea are 
eminently suitable; indeed, the treatment of enteritis in puppies is identical 
with that required in diarrhcea of severe form. 
Of course if worm medicine has been given and been followed by castor-oil, 
a dose of olive-oil by the mouth will not be required; but if the patients are 
matured dogs or quite old and hardy pups, injections of it may be subsequently 
administered. In enteritis occurring in very young puppies from other causes 
than worms, olive-oil may be given internally under the conditions set forth in 
the foregoing; but injections of it cannot be advantageously used with them. 
