SUBACUTE OBSTRUCTION OF THE CMCUM 237 



experience of the two preceding cases pointed to the prob- 

 ability of an early fatal termination, and it seemed 

 worth while applying any method of treatment which 

 offered a possibility, however remote, of effecting im- 

 provement. It occurred to me that some benefit might be 

 derived if advantage could be taken of the well-known 

 physiological fact that the water which a horse drinks 

 passes direct to the caecum. If the animal could be 

 induced to drink large quantities of water, there was a 

 possibility, small perhaps, but still a possibility, that the 

 liquids, by permeating the mass of material impacted in 

 the caecum, might assist in softening and loosening it, and 

 thus aid in its removal. With this object in view a large 

 dose of common salt was given in water. It had the 

 desired effect so far as thirst was concerned, but its 

 influence on the condition of the caecum, so far as could 

 be judged by rectal examination, and subsequently con- 

 firmed by post-mortem, was not appreciable.' 



The treatment in my own case, with the exception of 

 the novel expedient of giving the salt, was on identical 

 lines. 



I was called in on September 20 and found che animal 

 showing the usual dull pains. There was, as in Professor 

 Gofton's case, a history of a slight purge a day or two 

 previous, since when the animal had been feeding only 

 moderately, and had still been kept at work. 



As the patient was an aged one, and as the pains were 

 slight, I deemed it just a case of want of tone of the 

 muscular walls of the colon. And further, as the animal 

 was required to be kept at work if possible, I judgeJd that 

 a dose of eserine and pilocarpine would do all that was 

 necessary. This was given. So far as could be seen it 

 had no effect. Therefore, on the 22nd, as the pains, still 

 slight, continued, I refused to stay my hand longer, and 



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