488 
GRIPES AND CONSTIPATION. 
GRIPES AND CONSTIPATION OF THE 
INTESTINES. 
By Jno. Tombs, Stratford-on-Avon. 
July 18th, 1854. — A grey half-bred mare, 5 years old, 14| 
hands high, was attacked with gripes at 10 a.m., after eating 
a quantity of unsplit beans. A saw her at 1 p.m. Symp- 
toms : pulse 80 and strong ; rolls about ; looks back ; paws ; 
a difficult matter to approach her. Two blood-lettings 
during the day ; gripe mixture ; enemas ; actual cautery ap- 
plied to the abdomen ; in the evening, gave Aloes Barb. Jj in 
solution. 
1 9th. — Pulse 104 ; is, and has been, in great pain through- 
out the night; buccal and Schneiderian membranes and 
tunicae conjunctivae nearly black ; countenance dejected ; 
has had no motion. Blood-letting; gave Aloes Barb. 3yj. 
during the day; enemas; and abdomen stimulated. 
20th. — In statu quo ; has had no faecal evacuation. 
Treatment as before, with the exception of administering 
Aloes. Ol. Ricini O. was given twice in the day. At 4 p.m. 
no evacuation. I raked her, but found no faeces in the 
rectum. In the night she had three motions, for the first 
time, but the faeces were hard. Still in great pain : pulse 
106; countenance depressed. Gave O. 01. Ricini twice, in 
the day, and continue treatment as before ; no appetite. 
21st. — Pulse 105; in pain; refuses food; drinks slops; 
has had several evacuations in the night. 
22d. — Pulse 104; pain as usual, although she is freely 
purged ; will not eat ; drinks gruel. Gave a stimulant and 
opiate, and starch enemas ; in the evening gave Opium and 
Pulv. Terrae Japonicae. 
23d. — Much the same as yesterday ; purges tremendously. 
Gave Opium and Terra Japonica, and starch enemas ; refuses 
food ; drinks large quantities of gruel. 
24th. — Purging greatly lessened ; pains diminished ; pulse 
60; countenance more lively; eats bran mashes. Gave a 
vegetable tonic. 
25th. — Pulse 45 ; membranes previously mentioned of a 
natural colour; pains entirely ceased. Gave mashes and 
warm water. 
28th. — Recovered. 
I record this case as being one of an obstinate character. 
— Constipation of bowels for three days; the large quan- 
tities of purgatives given before the bowels were acted upon ; 
and also the very quick pulse for five days. 
