154 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



gramme, for instance), which might produce a great excitement, 

 also some tendency to forward movements, and even to attacks of 

 vertigo. 



When there is any swelling the intestine should be punctured at 

 once. Puncture, when peformed according to. the rules of surgery 

 and with the proper antiseptic precautions, hardly ever produces 

 unfavorable consequences. 



Absorbents given in drinks (ammonia, lime-water, liver of sul- 

 phur, hypochlorite of soda) are of very questionable value. 



Bleeding is useful in some cases, mainly when a cerebral or pul- 

 monary congestion is feared. 



If defecation is delayed through suppression of peristaltic move- 

 ments, we may resort to the remedies advised for counteracting the 

 constipation that accompanies intestinal catarrh. Sulphate of phy- 

 sostigraine has given excellent results ; this agent, recommended by 

 Dieckerhoff, is administered in subcutaneous injections in a dose of 

 €.08 to 0.12 gramme dissolved in 5 to 10 c. cm. of distilled water, 

 ior in a 1 : 1000 sublimate solution. 



Physostigmine must be used with discretion. It is contra-indi- 

 cated by spasmodic colics because of its tetanic and convulsant 

 action ; it is also forbidden in colics produced by overloading and 

 in persistent constipation on account of the danger of rupture of 

 the stomach or intestine (Rogener, Klemm, Wilhelm, Rust).^ 



As the administration of eserine favors the production of pul- 

 monary œdema (Friedberger), it is prudent not to resort to it when 

 an accident exists in the neighborhood of the lungs. EUenberger 

 has proposed to associate eserine (0.1 gramme) with pilocarpine 

 (0.2 gramme), this latter having the effect of exciting the intestinal 

 secretions and of liquefying the intestinal contents. Bass also 

 recommends this compound. 



In order to combat certain colics we have used for a very long 

 time sulphate of soda (200 to 300 grammes) and tartar emetic (4 to 

 8 grammes), given together or separately ; the following electuary 

 lias also been recommended : tartar emetic, 6 grammes ; sulphate 

 of soda, 250 grammes ; fennel-seed and marshmallow-root flour, 



1 We have several times seen harmful effects from sulphate of eserine administered 

 in doses of 0.10 to 0.12 gramme in cases of colic from overloading of the stomach, 

 ■whether accompanied or not by swelling. But this remedy may he of service if 

 used in small and repeated doses (0.03, 0 04, or 0 05 gramme) at intervals of one, 

 two, or three hours, according to the course of the colic. — n. d. t. 



