PERITONITIS AND ASCITES. 
483 
On Sunday, September 12th, I was called out of bed at seven 
o'clock to look at the subject of the present case, with a report 
that he had been just seized with “the gripes.” I went imme¬ 
diately, and found him pawing the litter, with a pulse at 70, 
rather soft than hard, and a countenance betraying inward pain, 
rather of a chronic than an acute character; added to which, he 
every now and then regarded his flank with a woful look, as 
much as to say, I am sorely in pain in my belly, I administered 
to him instantly, 
Tincture of opium, and spirit of turpentine, of each two ounces ; and 
Warm water, a pint; 
and, afterwards, an emollient injection. Also, he was more thickly 
clothed, and had flannel bandages wrapped around his legs. 
The injection, consisting of about six quarts of liquid, passed 
out again, speedily after its administration, without any commix¬ 
ture of dung, during the time the man was leading him out; for 
I had him slowly walked about for awhile, in hopes of producing 
a motion. 
The symptoms returning on his being led into his box again, 
I ordered this ball:— 
Powdered opium one drachm, 
Common turpentine half an ounce, 
Powdered ginger half an ounce. 
After this was given, he lay down ; and he did so, first by 
scraping the straw with his fore foot all into a heap underneath 
his belly; then kneeling down, he sank his belly upon the heap 
of straw : after which he rolled upon his side and lay extended 
at full length, only that he ever and anon would raise his head, 
turn it round, and cast a look full of sorrowful expression at his 
afflicted belly. All this he repeated many times in the course of 
this final stage of his malady. 
I did not venture to give any more medicine internally for three 
hours from this; in the interval, employing, simply, cloths dip¬ 
ped in very hot water to the belly, and repeating the injection: 
no dung, however, passed, although he staled frequently, voiding 
a few ounces; neither did there appear to be any cessation of 
the pain. While erect, he was continually pawing : while down, 
he lay upon his side, and looked up every half minute or so at his 
belly. 
At one o’clock p. m., he got the following drink :— 
Oil one pint and a half. 
Tincture of opium a*id spirits of turpentine, each two ounces. 
And in the course of the afternoon, the injection and fomentation 
were both repeated. 
