PURGATIVES AND CLYSTERS IN SPASMODIC COLIC. 439 
canal ; such, for instance, as those attendant upon the use of 
a clyster, which is so well known as an efficient agent in the 
expulsion of faecal matter, we must also allow that the same 
influences will promote the extension of disorder and in- 
flammation arising from a mass of indigestible matter, and so 
account for that of which the medicine may be innocent. 
What an array of spectral victims to our ( Toxicological ) 
treatment would present themselves to our imagination, were 
we to consider the nature of the different ingredients which 
together form our model colic draught ; the whole pharmacy 
being scoured repeatedly for agents, for the relief of the 
suffering animals. 
“ Remove the cause ” is a well-known admonition, and, “ the 
effects will cease ” is an inductive inference; the feasibility and 
productiveness of which are in no wise so apparent as in 
cases of bowel complaints, not only in the horse, but in 
cattle. And I feel quite confident in asserting that a simple 
dose of purgative medicine has in my hands saved the life 
of many valuable animals of both classes, which, otherwise, 
would have fallen victims to all the consequences of morbid 
suspension of digestion, and perverted nervous influence. 
Another point of doubt to be raised respecting the treat- 
ment of bowel complaints by means of purgatives, and one 
which appears to carry weight, is, when our patient happens 
to be a pregnant animal. 
In such cases we are led to suppose our treatment must 
be necessarily limited, and that purgation would destroy the 
attachments of the placental membranes, abortion of course 
following; thuspointing out a remedy, that of quieting the system, 
and deceiving nature by the use of purgatives, of which she 
cannot be sensitive. 
From the observations made on patients of this kind, 
I am sure, that when a premature birth takes place, it is 
not on account of a proper dose of purgative medicine having 
been given, but from the violent acts of the animal ; a breach 
not uncommonly having been made before our arrival. 
The fact of our patients being placed in a horizontal posi- 
tion, and. thus in a great measure facilitating the retention of 
indigestible matter especially , I think, clearly indicates the 
treatment of bowel complaints by purgatives alone ; and the 
more so when we admit that whatever may be assigned as 
the cause , whether it be a draught of cold water, or a sudden 
chill, &c., that such agents are only coadjutors in the pro- 
duction of a morbid influence and perverted secretion — states 
which 'may be accelerated, but, in reality, depend upon an 
improper quality or quantity of food ; a proper solution of 
