sporadic Dysentery of the New-born 1027 



canal, indigestible and irritant substances, allay the irritation 

 in the parts, and disinfect such contents as may remain in the 

 canal. First of all we strongly recommend the administration 

 of an oleaginous cathartic, such as castor, linseed, or cotton seed 

 oil. To the foal may be given one tablespoonful of castor oil, or 

 two to three ounces of linseed or cotton seed oil. The oil is ad- 

 ministered to gently evacuate the intestinal canal of its irritating 

 contents, and at the same time to bring about a soothing of the 

 irritated mucous membrane. 



Many practitioners have proceeded in an opposite direction, 

 and have administered opium, tannin, catechu, alum and other 

 astringent substances, which tend to retain within the canal the 

 irritant substances which contain or bear the infecting agents. 

 We have not been able to observe the benefits from this class of 

 drugs, which have been claimed for them by many writers. 



The disinfection of the alimentary canal, after the removal of 

 the infecting discharges so far as practicable, should receive close 

 attention upon the part of the practitioner. Many drugs exert 

 either a direct or an indirect influence upon micro-organisms in 

 the digestive canal. Since the discharges are usually acid in re- 

 action, many practitioners have strongly advised the use of alka- 

 line carbonates, such as chalk or sodium bicarbonate. Others 

 have had excellent results by the administration of powerful 

 antiseptics, like corrosive sublimate or carbolic acid in appro- 

 priate doses. Indirectly, excellent results have been obtained 

 by the adminiscration of small doses of calomel, which, by ex- 

 citing the functions of the liver, cause an increased amount of 

 bile to be poiired into the intestines, which acts as an antiseptic, 

 increases the peristalsis of the bowels, and causes the expulsion 

 as well as the destruction of the micro-organisms. Salol and 

 other similar drugs have been used and recommended by some. 



Stimulants and carminates have also been used and highly 

 commended by many practitioners. We have largely used the 

 tincture of ginger, with apparently good results. Any of the 

 carminates or aromatics may perhaps be used with benefit. 

 Some of them have a direct antiseptic influence, while indirectly 

 they all tend to disinfect the alimentary canal by arousing the 

 normal peristalsis and secretions of the intestines, which in 

 themselves control to a great extent the question of infection. 

 There are probably few disinfectants which are superior in eflS- 



