128 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
Instructions for their use : — 
Posture. — The animal must be made to assume the crouching 
posture he does while being loaded, but if possible the fore-quarters 
should be lower than the hind-quarters. A sloping ground will 
answer this purpose. The tail must be held on one side or right 
up by a man standing on the back. 
(1) In order to evacuate the bowels, a large quantity (many 
quarts) must be thrown up. The procedure is as follows : As much 
dung as can be reached must be removed by the hand first of all, 
then the pipe of the syringe, previously anointed with some lubri- 
cant (vaseline or any sweet oil), must be passed gently a foot or 
more into the bowel ; this requires no force but gentle manipula- 
tion. If force is used there is danger of injuring the bowel wall 
and the creature is induced to strain down, which is just what is 
not desired at this time. The pipe having been inserted, warm 
water and soap or plain water is to be injected without force and 
continued till the animal can contain no more, evinced by obvious 
discomfort. For producing evacuation of the bowels, enemas are 
most useful in elephant practice ; they are to be preferred in most 
cases to internal remedies, producing the desired result in a much 
shorter time, with less pain, and at all times where the possibility 
of obstruction exists they are the only safe means to be employed. 
Again, no constipation ensues which is almost an invariable sequel 
to internal remedies. 
(2) In this instance it is not desired to bring about an evacua- 
tion but merely to bring hot water into contact with the parts with 
the object of allaying pain. Hence to do good this must be 
retained and to effect this not more than four quarts must be 
injected at a time. Should this be returned, a smaller bulk must 
again be thrown up and this can be repeated every half-hour till 
pain is relieved. For this purpose water alone must be used and 
should be injected at a temperature of io5°F. as nearly as possible 
(not higher). The hand will bear this without discomfort. If less, 
the value of the enema is diminished. 
(3) Is administered like (2), that is, with the object of being 
retained. Medicines are added to the enema to effect various 
objects, e.g,^ relief of pain, killing parasites. 
In procedure (i) the following may be added where ordinary 
simple enemas are not effectual : — 
{a) Where there is constipation. 
(77) Castor oil ... ... ... i pt. 
Bicarbonate of soda ... ... 4 drs. 
Soap, soft ... ... ... I oz. 
Mix well with some warm water. 
