IMPACTION OF THE COLON 141 



often require from twenty-four to forty-eight hours 

 to soften or loosen the impacted mass and if eserin, 

 arecolin or barium chlorid are to be used at all, then 

 is the time, but the case has already been saved with- 

 out them. I must say that I have not witnessed much 

 benefit from rectal injections in cases of impaction. 



Many cases are cured by crushing the mass between 

 the hand, the abdominal wall or anterior border of the 

 pubis. Sometimes the mass is so hard that it cannot 

 be broken up in this way. 



The treatment which has given me the most satis- 

 faction in treating impaction is as follows : Give of 

 raw linseed oil, at least a quart, with fluid extract of 

 nux vomica, two to four drams (It may be that Reek's 

 dose would be better, but I have always been afraid of 

 it), some aromatic spirits of ammonia or turpentine, 

 one to two ounces to control fermentation and as a 

 stimulant. In from six to eight hours later I give a 

 pound of either epsom or glauber's salts with aromatic 

 ammonia and nux vomica. I repeat these doses later if 

 necessary, or until the pain ceases. Of course I some- 

 times resort to the trocar and occasionally give strych- 

 nin, atropin and digitalin hypodermically or pass the 

 stomach tube to relieve gastric flatulence. 



I do not know how much oil a horse can safely take 

 when in this condition, but I have known them to get 

 more than two gallons without serious purgation fol- 

 lowing. 



I presume I lose as many cases of impaction as 

 others do, but of one thing I am sure — I do not lose as 

 many cases as I did before adopting this line of treat- 

 ment. 



