INTESTINAL IRRIGATION 169 



annoyed I was that the impaction was so small. In 

 every probability, had the mare been operated on during 

 the first day's illness and the obstruction removed, she 

 would have lived. Still more probable would her 

 recovery have been if constant intestinal irrigation had 

 been persisted in. The fatal obstruction was actually 

 ■within reach of a tube that could have been passed a 

 few feet. 



Had I given aloes, would the issue have been different ? 

 I cannot whip myself with the thought that it would. 

 Against the argument that aloes would have moved the 

 obstruction is the fact that the contents of the whole of 

 the intestines in front of the stoppage were in a semi- 

 fluid state. We had, in fact, by using the oil and the 

 nux vomica, created a purge actually washing the surface 

 of the obstructing lump. My only regret is that I did 

 not then know the value of the long rectal tube and 

 a bountiful supply of water. 



The next case, the first in which I adopted intestinal 

 irrigation, was followed by recovery : 



History. — The patient was an aged black cart gelding, 

 used for heavy hauling purposes — coal carting. He had 

 been at his usual work all the week until late on the 

 Saturday afternoon. He ate his usual feeds on Sunday 

 morning and at noon, and was found in pain about 

 6 p.m., when the men went to give the evening meal. 



Sunday, 6.2,0 p.m. — I found him exhibiting the following 

 symptoms : Pain sHght, but constant, and manifested by 

 a ceaseless pawing with one fore-limb. Pulse about 68, 

 but inclined to be fluttering and weak. He had pre- 

 viously been rolling, but now showed no inchnation to 

 do so. Circumstances did not permit of a rectal examina- 

 tion. So far as could be gathered from the appearance 

 of the abdomen, there was no trouble in the large 

 intestine. That was surmised from the complete absence 

 of tympanites. Diagnosis was withheld until a rectal 



