292 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



the distended bowel per rectum, afterwards using the 

 trocar in the right flanlc and relieving the abdominal 

 tympany still further. As in the preceding case rotation 

 of the flexure (this time attempted in one direction only — 

 namely, from left to right) immediately effected a change 

 for the better in the before evil disposition of the viscera. 

 No passing of flatus was this time noticeable, a circum- 

 stance which I accounted for by remembering that I had 

 first reduced a great deal of the tympany with the trocar. 

 The other alarming symptoms, however, began to sub- 

 side, tympany did not again occur, and the following 

 morning found the patient free from pain, and feeding. 



In neither of these cases do I pretend to have given any- 

 thing elaborate in the way of instructions as to procedure, 

 I do not yet feel sure enough of my ground. Simply, I 

 have given a brief account of them just as they occurred 

 to me. I hope that by doing so, exaggerating none of 

 the advantages, and minimizing none of the attendant 

 difficulties, that I may influence those who have not yet 

 done so to pay special attention to this operation of 

 manual reduction in cases of colic torsion. To say the 

 least of it, the operation is an extremely interesting one, 

 and even to only attempt it is to gain much in the way 

 of valuable information. But apart from its interest the 

 thing has its utilitarian side ; for I am certainly convinced 

 that in very many cases it is the one and only way of 

 saving the patient's life. 



One or two quite practical points in the procedure I 

 would like to emphasize before concluding. They are 

 these : Frequent enemata of hot water thrown into the 

 rectum during the early stages of the case very much 

 help the surgeon in his attempt at reduction later on. In 

 this way not only are the posterior portions of the bowels 

 emptied and cleansed, but there is also engendered a 



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