658 
G. J. GOUBEAUD. 
A NEW METHOD OF EMPLOYING CHARCOAL IN THE 
TREATMENT OF ACUTE INDIGESTION IN HORSES. 
By George J. Goubeaud, D. V. S., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Read before the December Meeting of the Veterinary Medical Association of New York 
County. 
Upon request of one of your honored members, I have the 
pleasure of presenting for your consideration a subject entitled 
“ A New Method of Administering Charcoal for the Relief of 
Gaseous Distention in Acute Gastric and Gastro-Intestinal In¬ 
digestion.” During the past two years it has fallen to my lot 
to treat a large number of horses suffering from this form of colic 
by this method, and have secured much success, results being 
obtained that could not possibly be had under the old method 
of administering charcoal; indeed, I might state that it was the 
principal agent I relied upon. 
We all know how serious is the condition of the animal that 
presents itself to us suffering from this affection ; abdomen dis¬ 
tended to an enormous degree, although at times when the 
stomach alone is involved the distention will not be so notice¬ 
able, eructating gas as rapidly as the abnormally distended and 
half-paralyzed stomach will permit. The sound of the gas 
forcing itself up the oesophagus can be heard several feet distant, 
mouth dribbling saliva, which the animal attempts to swallow, 
but is successful only after several ineffectual efforts ; little or no 
gas escaping per rectum, although it strains in its efforts to force 
it out; peristalsis diminished and in some cases absolutely no 
movement of the intestines can be heard ; respiration quick and 
short; pulse usually soft and compressible and numbering sixty 
to eighty per minute ; mucous membranes cyanosed, due to press¬ 
ure of the distended intestines upon the lungs, thereby retarding 
proper oxidation ; body swaying from side to side, trembling or 
shivering of the muscles of the flank and elbow, skin covered 
with a cold sweat, unable to stand and still unable to lie in the 
recumbent position, and an anxious countenance. We know in 
cases of this kind that active and energetic measures must be 
