678 
S’. B. NELSON.. 
your attention to that point in particular. I do not think this 
drug is a hydragogue cathartic, and cite the following notes 
for my reasons. It will be understood that this drug is always 
given in solution hypodermically whenever its use is men¬ 
tioned. 
Its action in these cases was an exalted stimulation of the 
peristaltic power of the intestinal tract and more especially 
of the colon. 
Case i.—A chestnut gelding, weight about 1050 lbs. sick 
with colicky pains and constipation. Had been sick several 
hours when he was brought in for treatment at 8 P. M. Was 
given a liberal dose of chloral hydrate and also sodium sul¬ 
phite, which gave him relief from pain. No faeces passed 
from him during the night. The following day he received 
two or three doses of magnesium sulph., and copious injec¬ 
tions of warm soapsuds. 7 P. M., the horse did not complain 
of pain, had not discharged any faeces. Was given one grain 
of eserine, which was followed by several liberal discharges 
of quite dry faecal matter. The patient made a good re¬ 
covery. 
Case 2 .— A black gelding, weight 1400 lbs., used by an ex¬ 
press company, was brought to hospital at 8 A. M. This 
horse had probably been sick all night, as his evening ration 
was not all eaten. He had severe colickly pains and was 
given chloral hydrate 3 1, oleum menthi piperita 3 1, sodium 
sulphite 5 2 ) which gave temporary relief. 10 A. M. the dose 
was repeated and soon followed by 5 grains of morphine 
hypodermically. There was no flatulence, and careful rectal 
examination discovered the rectum and colon to be quite em¬ 
pty and flaccid. Injections of soapsuds increased the distress, 
which gradually became intense. At 2 P. M. the horse was 
completely ansesthetised with chloroform, but upon recovery 
from the effects of this drug the pain returned. Acting upon 
the theory that the pain was caused by intestinal obstruction, 
one grain of eserine was administed, and repeated in 30 min¬ 
utes, which resulted in a great increase of pain with violent 
efforts to defecate, but nothing passed the sphincter ani. The 
patient soon became delirious and remained so until he died 
at 10 P. M. 
