GENERAL USES OF PURGATIVES 37 



In well-defined enteritis and peritonitis cathartics are to be avoided. 

 In mechanical obstruction of the intestines surgical interference is indi- 

 cated when practicable, but where this is impossible enemata and some 

 purgatives may be employed. The intestines, developed to an extent 

 disproportionate to the size of the stomach in the horse, are powerfully 

 influenced by cathartics, so that in catarrh of the respiratory organs and 

 influenza, metastasis, or change in the site of the inflammation, may occur, 

 and the intestines may become involved with the occurrence of excessive 

 purging (super-purgation) after the ingestion of any but the mildest 

 cathartics, as linseed oil. Aloes is the purgative given horses for ordi- 

 nary purposes, while Epsom and Glauber salts are suitable for ruminants 

 and pigs, and calomel and castor oil for dogs. Water assists the action 

 of purgatives, and its ingestion should be encouraged by supplying a lib- 

 eral quantity of common salt either with the purgative or on the food, and 

 also by sweetening the drinking water with molasses in the case of cattle. 

 If the action of cathartics is delayed, it is usually advisable to give 

 enemata. 



Enemata, or Clysters. — These are fluid injections into the rectum 

 and are used for the following purposes: 



1. To empty the lower bowels when purgatives are inadmissible, 

 as in intestinal obstruction, ulceration and inflammation, fegal accumula- 

 tions, debilitated conditions, obstinate vomiting, unconsciousness, and in 

 inability to swallow (sore throat and tetanus). 



2. To relieve pain, spasm (of intestines and bladder), and shock, 

 when deep, hot enemata (105°-115° F.) are used. 



3. To save life. After severe hemorrhage, deep injections of hot 

 normal salt solutions, 110° F. (Enteroclysis, see p. 519.) 



4. To accelerate the action of purgatives, and as a preparation for 

 abdominal and pelvic operations. 



5. To supply food. (See Artificial Feeding, p. 490.) 



6. For their local effect upon inflammation of the mucous membrane 

 of the rectum and colon. Opium and boiled starch solution ; silver nitrate 

 and tannic acid — in diarrhea, dysentery, colitis and proctitis. 



7. To kill intestinal parasites (pinworms), — solutions of quassia 

 and common salt. 



8. To administer medicines in dysphagia due to pharyngitis, teta- 

 nus, unconsciousness (apoplexy, coma and convulsions) ; to obstinate 

 vomiting and other causes. 



9. To reduce temperature, — cold enemata in fever. 



10. To produce diuresis, — deep injections (110° F.) for retention 

 and absorption into the blood. 



11. To improve muscular tone and intestinal peristalsis in chronic 

 constipation, — cold enemata (65°-60° F.). 



12. To overcome twist and intussusception. 



13. To stimulate peristalsis, relieve congestion, and increase the 

 flow of bile in catarrhal jaundice, — cold, deep irrigations (55°-60° F.) 

 are here indicated. 



14. The stomach of dogs may be washed out by hanging them in 

 an inverted position with the head down and allowing water (often sev- 



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