Diseases of the Bowels. 81 
diagnosing correctly between enteritis and colic, and from 
what I there mentioned it will be gathered that stimulants 
and cordials form no part of our treatment in this disease. 
Our first duty is, if possible, to ascertain the cause. Pur- 
gatives usually, in enteritis, are not advisable. When 
‘however, the illness can be traced to local irritation from the 
impaction of feeces, worms, or foreign matter, a mild dose of - 
castor-oil may be given at the onset with benefit. 
Again, if the liver be associated with it, a small dose of 
aloes and calomel can also be administered with safety. If, 
on examination per rectum, impaction of hardened faces 
are found, they should be gently broken down with the 
finger, and a simple warm-water enema thrown up to assist 
their expulsion. Drastic purgatives at any period of the 
disease are hurtful, and removal of the obstruction, if pos- 
sible, by mechanical means is decidedly preferable. Salad 
oil is a valuable agent for this purpose ; it effects its object 
by insinuation through the obstruction, supposing it to be 
the impaction of feecal matter ; it, at the same time, shields 
the mucous membrane, and if there is intus-susception it 
facilitates its removal. 
To relieve the pain, from 1 to 3 grains of opium may be 
given in a teaspoonful or two of barley-water, and repeated 
in an hour if necessary. Opiate enemas can also be ad- 
ministered with the same view. 
Counter-irritation to the abdomen is of great value, mus- 
tard plasters, hot linseed-meal poultices, bags of hot salt 
continually renewed, or hot fomentations may be used. 
Bleeding is beneficial in the early stage only, and is best 
adopted locally, by means of leeches to the abdomen. 
When the acute symptoms have subsided the counter- 
irritation may be discontinued, but the abdomen must be | 
kept thoroughly warm and the patient quiet. 
With regard to support during the illness, bland mucilagi- 
nous drinks should form the only diet, and should be con- 
tinued for some considerable time after recovery takes place, 
