34 GENERAL THERAPEUTICS FOR VETERINARIANS 



wash out the stomach. There are two tj^es of these tubes: one 

 is passed through the mouth and the other is introduced into the 

 oesophagus by way of the inferior meatus of one of the nasal cavi- 

 ties, a flexible rattan stilet being inserted into the tube before it is 

 passed, and withdrawn after the tube is in position. 



In the small animal clinic at Copenhagen, Prof. Hansen washes 

 out the stomach of dogs, as well as other parts of the alimentary 

 canal, by injecting per rectum a 0.9 per cent, solution of sodium 

 chloride at body temperature, the posterior part of the body being 

 elevated. After 2 to 3 litres are injected into small dogs and up 

 to 9 litres in large dogs, the fluid, mixed with alimentary matters, is 

 vomited. The injection is continued until the fluid is vomited 

 clear. The method has been in use in the small animal clinic at the 

 University of Pennsylvania for the last two years. In toxic, 

 hemorrhagic, and catarrhal enteritis and in icterus the results are 

 very satisfactory.] 



4. OPERATIVE TREATMENT 



In acute tympanites of ruminants puncture of the rumen is in 

 most cases necessary to remove the gas. The rumen may at the 

 same time be irrigated with water or fluid medicines introduced 

 through the cannula. Gastrotomy is resorted to to remove foreign 

 bodies from the stomach of dogs (stones, coins, balls, corks) and 

 cattle (metallic foreign bodies in the reticulum, abnormal collec- 

 tions of food and poisonous plants in the rumen). Finally, dis- 

 eases of the stomach may be treated indirectly by operation, as by 

 the extraction of diseased teeth in the dog. 



II. Emetics 

 Synonyms: Vomitives, vomitories, nauseosa, nauseotics. 



Method of Action. — Vomition results, according to some, from 

 an active, primary contraction of the stomach; according to others, 

 from the passive compression of the stomach by the convulsive 

 contraction of the inferior abdominal muscles and the diaphragm. 

 The cardia being relaxed at the same time and the pylorus closed, 



