TREATMENT OF COLIC, ETC. 
135 
The post-mortem examination disclosed the following facts^ 
viz.: inflammation, but not of a severe character, in portions 
of the small intestines ; the contents of the stomach, small 
and large bowels, all in a semi-fluid state, and large quantities 
of it; but just as the colon terminates in the rectum, there 
was a large mass of unsoftened feculent matter impacted; 
more than a large bucketful, forming a complete obstruction. 
There was also considerable disease in the liver, probably of 
long standing. Now the point I am anxious to call atten¬ 
tion to is the situation where the stoppage existed. The rectum 
was perfectly empty, and if any instrument were invented, or 
any means could have been had recourse to, so as to extract 
this mass, or to have injected a fluid into it to soften it, this 
horse’s life would have been saved. It will be borne in 
mind, that all physiologists agree in opinion that little or no 
secretion takes place in the colon, and my experience has 
proved, in great numbers of post-mortem examinations, that 
obstructions at this part of the intestinal canal are frequent 
cause of death. Now it has often occurred to me, and I feel 
fully persuaded, that an instrument could be formed to over¬ 
come this difficulty. The Want of such an instrument never 
stood out more forcibly before me than in this case; there 
W'as I, and there w'as my patient lingering on and on, day 
after day, he dying before my eyes, giving me ample time to 
think, and think again, for whole days and nights, and yet I 
W’as unable to save him. 
I think 1 can in my mind’s eye see a number of instru¬ 
ments differently contrived, and constructed on different 
principles, each or any of w hich could be made to accomplish 
this purpose. When I read of Dr. Nelaton, that eminent 
and ingenious French surgeon of European reputation, con¬ 
triving that delicate and beautiful instrument to ascertain 
whether it w as lead or bone that existed at the extreme end 
of the deep dark sinus in General Garibaldi’s w ounded ancle, 
I say, surely Englishmen can, if they Avill only put their wits 
to w'ork, contrive to make this instrument, whose usefulness 
would have infinitely greater scope; wmuld be of more vital 
importance, and its value in practice incalculable. But, per¬ 
haps, some of my readers are ready to exclaim, Aye, this 
WTiter is one of those wild enthusiasts, a day-dreamer, a 
visionary theorist, one who has got hold of an impracticable 
notion. Of such an one I would ask. Have you ever in your 
life given ten minutes’ deep, serious, earnest consideration to 
this subject ? I would further ask, Do you know that the 
entrance into the colon is only tw^enty-two inches from the 
anus in a straight line through the interior of the rectum ? 
