552 
OBSTINATE AND DANGEROUS CONSTIPATION, WITH 
SYMPTOMS SIMULATING “ GRIPES, 5 ’ UNRELIEVED BY 
ETHER, OPIUM, ALOES, TOBACCO, AND CHLORO- 
FORM; AT LENGTH APPARENTLY REMOVED BY 
CALOMEL AND OPIUM. 
By Wm. Percivall, M.R.C.S . , 
Veterinary Surgeon ls£ Life Guards. 
Sept. 13, 1848. — A BLACK troop horse, twelve years of age, 
was attacked while on guard at the Horse Guards with symptoms 
of “ gripes.” He was immediately sent to Hyde Park barracks. 
He was a known crib-biter, and had the appearance of having dis- 
tended his bowels with wind, although it was said he* had not been 
standing without his “ neck-strap.” On his arrival, a common soap 
and water clyster and some additional exercise was given him, the 
attack appearing nothing more than colicky pains brought on by a 
tympanitic condition of the abdomen. No relief ensuing, he was 
back-raked, without zmy dung being found, however; and there- 
fore, at seven o’clock on the same evening, was given to him, 
Decoct, aloes C Jiv (containing 3W of Barbadoes aloes) 
Ether, sulphuric, 
Tinct. opii, aa Jiiss 
Aq. tepid Oiss. M. 
This lulled his pain, and he continued quiet until nine o’clock ; 
when he became again restless, lying down, and rolling over upon 
his back, and speedily rising again, and walking round his box, 
with a countenance expressive of sharp pain, of which he indicated 
the situation by looking ever and anon back at his belly. The 
pulse so far, however, from indicating colic or enteritic disease, 
was extraordinarily full, and about 60. He had now given to him, 
Ether sulphuric Jvi 
Tinct. opii Jiv 
Decoct, aloes C Jij 
Aq. tepid Oiij. M. 
This likewise failed in affording relief, and in consequence, an 
hour afterwards, 
At 10 o'clock P.M. — The fumes of tobacco were administered 
per anum. This brought away five or six dung-balls, of a light 
yellow colour, and slimy, from which he evidently felt relief; and 
no further indication of acute pain occurred until 
1 o'clock A.M. of the 14 th, — When a return of the symptoms 
shewing themselves, fourteen pounds of blood were abstracted, and 
the following drink given : — 
