370 
G. ARCHIE STOCKWELL. 
ation of physiological action, lock up the secretions, normal 
and abnormal alike. The ill effects of such therapeusis may 
be seen in calves, when the farmer’s wife essays to check the 
scouring, and, if successful, locks up an indigestible mass in 
the intestines to the induction of an enteritis, or provokes a 
gastric catarrh that later proves fatal; fatality is of course 
laid to the exhaustion produced by the diarrhoea, instead, as 
should be, at the door of the astringent. Nevertheless, when 
the diarrhoea is of the nature of a gastric catarrh, mild astrin¬ 
gents combined with opiates and antacids are often of value, 
along with lactic acid or other antiseptic; also, in diarrhoeas 
that are reflex products. In such cases it is the tonic astrin¬ 
gents that are indicated. 
What then are the therapeutic measures most available? 
First, mercurial or other alteratives of like action. Second, 
pepsin, pancreatin, bismuth, cerium, analgesin, chloral, wild 
yam, leptandrin and drugs of its class, hydrastin, salicylic acid, 
lactic acid, carbolic acid, mineral acids. Third, tonics. Fourth, 
strict attention to diet. 
A full dose of mercurial or other cathartic (not less than 
eight to sixteen grains of calomel for a suckling colt or calf, 
or four to eight grains for a lamb under four weeks of age, 
with ext. colocynth. comp., and camphor mono-bromide to 
prevent griping) clears the intestines of irritating matters, 
changes the character of the secretions toward normal, and 
by stimulation of mucous follicles clears their orifices and 
substitutes mucous for serous exudation. This alone, after 
the cathartic effect has passed off, will show great diminution 
in the diarrhoea, and less serosity. Next it should be fol¬ 
lowed by remedies to re-establish normal secretion and diges¬ 
tion ; to relieve inflammation and excessive peristalsis, and to 
further the expulsion or neutralization of any remaining poi¬ 
son. First, now, pepsin and pancreatin come in play ; next 
the antacids, of which the best are cerium oxalate and bis¬ 
muth sub-carbonate. After calomel, for a few hours, mineral 
acids are best avoided, and the lactic acid substituted, though 
salivation is all but impossible in any nursing animal, even 
the human infant; but leptandrin, ipecac in minute doses 
