CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS 
477 
found of service in keeping up the appetite. Most practitioners 
purge, under the idea that they have to deal with a blood-poison, 
and that it is their duty to eliminate it as quickly as possible from 
the system ; but it is necessary to give half as much again as you 
would do under ordinary circumstances. For ray own part, I 
think those practitioners are right who consider depletive meas¬ 
ures inadvisable in such a weakening disease. Slinging should 
always be resorted to when the animal can stand ; if not got upon 
his feet within twenty four hours, his chances are very poor in¬ 
deed. A few pretend to treat cases when down, by turning from 
side to side, but such a course is very unsuccessful. As to the 
application of counter-irritants, this is another disputed point; 
though condemned by many as absurd, the most successful prac¬ 
titioners use mustard to the spine, and even to the throat, and 
claim that benefit is so derived. Where delirium runs high, ice 
to the head may be of service, or this not relieving him, a good 
mustard plaster to the poll may have the desired effect; in many 
of these cases hot and cold applications used alternately, are 
found to answer better than either used alone. In acute cases, 
where there is imminent danger of collapse, and in others where 
deglutition is impaired to such an extent that the animal can 
scarcely swallow at all, the plan proposed by Professor Smith is 
well worthy of a trial. A specially constructed tube, about twice 
as long as the ordinary catheter, but of similar diameter, is passed 
along the inferior meatus of one of the nostrils, and pushed on to 
the stomach; two catheters fixed smoothly and strongly together 
would answer in an emergency. Through this, stimulants or 
other medicinal agents may be poured, and even nourishment be 
administered. The action of the bowels should be solicited by 
injections; and it will usually be found necessary to pass the 
catheter night and morning for some days. If unable to swallow, 
the vital powers maybe kept up by whisky, eggs, milk and gruel, 
given either by enema or preferably by the tube. When con¬ 
valescent, if there is resultant paralysis, use a current of electric¬ 
ity strong enough to produce a sensation of pins and needles, ap¬ 
plied to the parts three times a day and decreased on the slightest 
signs of improvement; try also the effects of nervine tonics, as 
