ON CASTOR OIL AS A PURGATIVE. 357 
the evening this state of apathy was becoming quite alarming: 
his belly was exceedingly contracted; his flanks tucked up, and 
his hind legs advanced as far forwards as possible ; in which pos¬ 
ture he seemed to be suffering considerable internal abdominal 
pain, though not of that acute kind which excites disquietude or 
convulsions, yet such as to prostrate the animal’s spirits to the 
lowest degree, while it raised the pulse to 70. 
Next morning I found him still in the same posture; indeed it 
seemed that he had remained so all the night: I do not know 
that I can describe his awkward but remarkable appearance better 
than by saying that he was all in a heap.” He was with diffi¬ 
culty made to turn in the stall; and when walked out he evinced 
so much stiffness, that he seemed to have rheumatism in all his 
limbs. Notwithstanding this, however, as there were no signs 
of purgation, he was compelled to take walking exercise. The 
symptoms, at this period, left no doubt in my mind that the 
horse was suffering to a very considerable degree from abdominal 
irritation; although the pain was not of that kind or degree 
which gives rise to the disturbance known by the vulgar phrase 
gripes.” 
In the afternoon, the animal was found lying down, occasionally 
stretching himself out and groaning, but yet not shewing any 
symptom of spasms. 
He has eaten scarcely any thing since the attack, but has 
drunk copiously; and has been raked, and had stimulating in-^ 
jections administered every two hours. 
At 7 o’clock in the morning, he continued lying; had his legs 
drawn up under him; his belly was sunk, and had a tympanitic 
appearance: altogether his posture betokened considerable suf¬ 
fering. While standing looking at him, he made several efforts 
to rise, but, either from pain or exhaustion, appeared quite unable 
to accomplish it. It was determined then, if possible, to raise 
him upon his legs by force; which was no sooner effected than 
we were surprised by an exceedingly copious fluid evacuation, 
the first of the kind he had had since the drench : from this he 
became so much relieved, that no,sooner was it passed than he 
commenced feeding. 
At 9 o’clock, he was lying down again, manifesting fresh un¬ 
easiness, not having had another motion. V. S. ad Ibviij. Applic. 
abdom. liniment, lyttse. Cont. enem. In an hour afterwards 
he experienced relief, and from that time remained free from 
relapse during the night. On* the following day we procured 
several purgations, every one of which were followed by very evi¬ 
dent relief. 
Although from this day the danger impending over the case 
