56 



DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



uppermost with the patient recumbent. Careful asepsis must be 

 observed, with clipping of the hair, painting the skin with tincture of 

 iodine, and boiling of instruments. The skin is incised with a knife, 

 the puncture made with a trocar and canula and the wound sealed 

 with collodion. Barium chloride may be given intravenously in a 

 dose of gr. xv. in i pint of water, or 3i may be given by mouth, and 

 these doses repeated in one hour if necessary. One ounce of ether 

 given in one quart of cold water per rectum, and the use of cold 

 cloths externally (if the premises are warm) serve to stimulate 

 peristalsis and aid the escape of gas. Four ounces of inspissated 

 oxgall in one pint of water the writer has found a most efficient 

 enema. 



In colic from overloading of the stomach we have the history 

 to guide us. Also eructation of gas, retching, vomiting, distension 

 of the stomach and difficult respiration, so that the horse sometimes 

 assumes the " dog sitting position." The use of the stomach tube 

 (see p. 289) is often a life saving measure in removing gas and 

 ingesta and preventing rupture of the stomach and diaphragm. 

 Barium chloride may be tried by vein (gm. i) or mouth (3i), and 

 repeated in one hour. 



Colic due to thrombus obstruction of the anterior mesenteric 

 artery and embolus of its branches is rarely diagnosed except post 

 mortem and is suspected when the onset is sudden and without 

 apparent cause. We should unload the bowels by the use of lin- 

 seed oil (Oi), or salts (1 lb.), or calomel (3i-ii). Drastic cathar- 

 tics are generally contraindicated, but barium chloride may be em- 

 ployed in severe cases with the understanding that twist of the 

 bowels may be caused by violent peristalsis. Massage of the belly, 

 walking exercise, and enemata, are also indicated. 



Colic with constipation (or ileus) arises from various sources, 

 as through paralysis of a portion of the gut produced by local 

 peritonitis or sources of reflex irritation in the belly; and is due 

 to mechanical obstruction of the bowels situated within or without 



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