ACUTE INDIGESTION. 
319 
pain or its irregularity, as shown by the actions of the animal, 
is to us one of the many visible signs by which we may deter¬ 
mine the progress of the disease, it being one of the natural 
results of internal disturbance, and in this particular lesion we 
most need the clear brain of the patient to guide us aright. 
To my mind, any preparation of opium, even morphine 
hypodermically, is contra-indicated, for they tend to interfere with 
the normal secretions, and certainly constipate and paralyze, 
as it were, the whole bowel tract. The other opiates above 
mentioned all have their disadvantages in one way or another, 
and can only have one retrieving feature at the most—that of 
making the patient partially insensible to his condition, and at 
the same time putting us in the same condition regarding the 
progression of the disease. Not one reaches or has any effect 
upon the cause to any marked extent, however. The exact 
condition of the case in hand at the time we are permitted to 
assume control of it, the length of the attack with its supposed 
cause, the kind and quantity of medicine it has received, if any, 
must be thoroughly understood before we can form any con¬ 
sistent opinion as to further treatment. 
In any of the earlier stages of the disease the main imme¬ 
diate danger is to prevent suffocation from pressure of gas and 
possible rupture of either the stomach, bowels or diaphragm, and 
by this relief we offer one of the best antidotes for the existing 
pain that can possibly be afforded, for with slight internal 
pressure an active fermentation may be in progress without the 
animal evincing but little pain. 
The modus operandi of using the trocar and canula when 
necessary needs no comment, for all are familiar with the anti¬ 
septic precautions essential to attain successful results. 
Wdien used to evacuate the bowel I believe we should not 
wait too long, as its early use prevents the contaminating influ¬ 
ence of the already imprisoned poisonous gases and relieves the 
strain on the muscular tissues of the part, allowing it a much 
needed rest, with at least a partial return to its normal condi¬ 
tion and actions. 
