12 REMARKS ON THE USE OF CLYSTERS IN THE HORSE. 
made from the original ; and subsequent constant use has 
confirmed my first approval. 
This instrument, in all its simplicity and efficiency, calls 
for some comment. It proves, experimentally, that placed 
horizontally, as the horse is, none of the pumping-force, so 
often used, is necessary in giving clysters. I had long since 
convinced myself of this; indeed, I may congratulate myself 
that I never caught the mechanical error. It is most im- 
portant to notice the escape of flatus in giving the injection 
with this funnel. Why is it that so soon as a clyster is given 
with an ordinary syringe it is evacuated ? Simply because, 
what with gas and fluid, the gut is too much distended, and 
is stimulated to contraction. Any one who has given injec- 
tions in the ordinary way, has felt an opposing expulsive 
effort used by the animal, and the whole or part of the injec- 
tion is expelled before laying long enough to produce the 
good effects of which it is capable. 
I conclude these remarks by enforcing— 1st. That in 
using clysters, a moderate amount, say from two to three 
pints of fluid, should be injected at each time. 
2dly. Enemata should not be too often repeated ; and, if 
long continued, some soothing agent is to be employed, or a 
certain prolonged intermission enjoined. 
3dly. Any contrivance, like the funnel-shaped instrument 
above described, allowing the escape of flatus, precluding the 
exercise of mechanical force in the administration of the 
injection, is to be preferred to more complex apparatuses. 
4thly. Let the instrument used be whatever it may, great 
care should be taken not to use it roughly, and no irritating 
substances, as a rule, should be added to the water injected. 
I trust, on another occasion, to set forth, by the direct 
citation of important cases, the worth and universal applica- 
tion of clysters in veterinary practice. For the convenience 
of those gentlemen who may wish to try the instrument 
above described, I may add that Mr. Brennand (late Long), 
veterinary instrument maker, in Holborn, has availed him- 
self of mine, and my suggestions, to make others from, and 
thinks of introducing some improvements ; but it should be 
borne in mind, that whenever a thing is newly introduced, it 
should be fairly tried and studied without modifications, 
which, if instituted without foresight and experience, are apt 
to get a most useful thing into disrepute, to the detriment of 
those it might have been useful to. With the funnel, how- 
ever, the thing is so simple, that it is difficult to be spoilt. 
December, 1855. 
