10 REMARKS ON THE USE OF CLYSTERS IN THE HORSE. 
as by the peristaltic action they are passed back into the 
rectum. 
A few words in explanation of the restriction as to quantity, 
frequency, and 6ven too long continuance of clysters without 
intermission. I have seen harm done by excess, and the 
most soothing therapeutic we possess thus becomes an irri- 
tant. I have seen the anus swollen in consequence, and 
after each effort to evacuate, the rectum inverted, bearing 
signs of extreme irritation : hence I have long since given up 
the use of salt, soap, or other stimulating agent, as the water 
and a little oil excites quite enough. When the use of injec- 
tions is protracted for two or three days, a decoction of mal- 
lows or linseed may be used at intervals, often with good 
effect ; under other circumstances, decoctions of poppy heads 
or chamomile flowers are beneficial. After the first three or 
four injections, but little oil need be employed, merely enough 
to lubricate, and favour the introduction of the tube. 
The instruments in general use for giving injections to 
horses are susceptible of improvement. The ordinary pewter 
barrel syringe has been generally used by me at home, but 
as cases in which clysters are urgently required are often 
those to which we are called at some distance, the large 
syringe, from its inconvenient form, is seldom carried about. 
To supply its yjlace, we have used a boxwood tube with a 
bullock’s bladder; a gutta percha bag has of late been sub- 
stituted for the latter. An objection to the wooden tubes in 
use is, that they are not large enough in the bore, and they 
are apt soon to split from alternate exposure to wet and dry. 
To obviate these inconveniences, I have suggested a metallic 
tube of copper, tinned, combining lightness with strength. 
Its shape is indicated at fig. 2 ; it is to be ten inches long, 
the wooden pipe being twelve, and the bore is to be half 
an inch in diameter at the smallest end, and one inch at the 
largest. Whether used with a bladder or gutta percha bag, 
this tube will be found an improvement on the wooden one, 
as more portable, more durable, and more effective in use. 
I have in the next place to introduce an instrument 
most important for its simplicity and complete efficiency ; 
it fell into my hands four years ago. At fig. 1, it will 
be observed that it consists of a straight metallic tube 
(the one I use is of tin), with a second tube adjusted perpen- 
dicularly at one extremity, and supporting in its turn a broad 
funnel, into which the fluid is poured in giving the injection. 
