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On the Intravenous Injection of Sulphate of Eserine in Obstinate Constipation in Animals
!68
The Veterittary Journal.
eftect, and keeping the box very thin of litter so as to allow him to move the more freely. In a few days he was let loose, after which he required very little attention. He gradually recovered, and became perfectly sound, returning to work, hunting and racing for a long time after. H e finally ended his days in a cab. ON THE INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OF SULPHATE OF ESERINE IN OBSTINATE CONSTIPATION IN ANIMALS. BY JAMES B. GRESSWELL, LOUTH.
IN no branch of the veterinary art has there been such marked advance of late as in that of therapeutics, and it is highly satisfactory that in this department rapid progress is still being made almost daily. We are of opinion that in whatever degree our continental brethren may have stepped beyond us in the pathological branch or'our art, the English veterinary surgeons, at any rate, have stood behind none in their therapeutic knowledge and its application to everyday practice. It is, however, not my purpose now to enter into a general disquisition on the therapeutics of veterinary medicine and surgery, but to say a few words regarding the action of sulphate of eserine on the bowels. I may first say that I have tried this drug hypodermically, as recommended by Dieckerhoff, and have invariably found it to be of little or no effect. When injected intravenously, however, the results have in each case been highly satisfactory. On May 19th, 1886, a six-year-old strong draught horse was affected with colic, due to obstinate constipation. We were called in to see it on the 20th, and gave a six-drachm aloes ball. At 4 p.m. on the 21st, there was no relief. The pulse was 96. The pain was almost continuous. From the foreman's calculations, there had been no passage for three days. One grain of sulphate of eserine was administered by intravenous injection into the jugular vein. In eight minutes there was extreme pain. The horse broke out in twenty minutes' time into profuse perspiration. There were marked muscular tremors. At the twelfth minute after the injection, hard freces together with fluid were passed. Violent straining continued for the next twenty minutes, during which time the animal voided no less than eight discharges of alvine material, several of the latter being quite fluid. The tenesmus and grunts were intensely extreme. Muscular tremors increased up to half an hour after the injection, after which time the animal quietened, and ate some mash, and the pulse went down to 6o. On leaving, further action was prevented by the administraticn of an opiate draught. The horse made a complete recovery. W e have also used this valuable salt in cattle. A cow had been
The Progress of Veteri1tary Scie1zce.
169
constipated for four days, and had during that period absolutely no passage. She had received full doses of Epsom salts, linseed oil, castor oil, aloes, calomel, and other aperients. Half a grain of sulphate of eserine was injected into the jugular vein, with no other result than pain manifested by frequent moanings, gurglings in the bowels, and restlessness. After an interval of half an hour, three-quarters of a grain of the salt were injected. In nine minutes the cow passed hard lumps and fluid freces. On the following day, three-quarters of a grain were again injected with good results. The animal had two or three passages afterwards during the day, and then made a gradual but complete recovery. We have tried it in three or four other cases, and find that unless from three-quarters to one grain is given, and that by intravenous injection, little or no action is produced. It is well to bear in mind that this drug should never be given except in very severe cases, as the action is so extremely excessive. SOME IDEAS CONNECTED WITH THE PROGRESS OF VETERINARY SCIENCE. BY GEORGE GRESSWELL AND J. B. GRESSWELL 1 LOUTH 1 LINCOLNSHIRE.
THE errors connected with various departments of veterinary science which are rampant in the public mind, though far less numerous and cogent than in former days, are still exceedingly productive of mischief. So much knowledge has been already gained, and so much good has been done in recent years, that one can only marvel how it is there are so many fountains of ignorance still almost untouched. Food for reflection is amply supplied by the contemplation of the past history of all science, and in the field of comparative pathology especially are we able to observe that very much earnest work, and very many active and energetic inquirers, are needed. The worst tendency in the human mind is, perhaps, that which leads men to pursue old methods, and to adhere to old ideas without attempting to advance and progress. In order to obviate such tendencies, fresh blood is continually required. New .and original men must be found and encouraged. Again, much must be done to educate the great mass of the people, whose seething ignorance of the laws of science, and especially of hygiene, is appalling. This can only be done by the cultivation of the literary spirit and power. People will not read, and we cannot expect them to read, that which they cannot easily understand. Unfortunately, as a rule, scientists do not usually write so as to be comprehended easily, even by fellow-workers in their own department of inquiry. There is a good deal of what may be called scientific pomposity used in ordinary scientific literature. VOL. XXIII.
N
The Veterittary Journal.
eftect, and keeping the box very thin of litter so as to allow him to move the more freely. In a few days he was let loose, after which he required very little attention. He gradually recovered, and became perfectly sound, returning to work, hunting and racing for a long time after. H e finally ended his days in a cab. ON THE INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OF SULPHATE OF ESERINE IN OBSTINATE CONSTIPATION IN ANIMALS. BY JAMES B. GRESSWELL, LOUTH.
IN no branch of the veterinary art has there been such marked advance of late as in that of therapeutics, and it is highly satisfactory that in this department rapid progress is still being made almost daily. We are of opinion that in whatever degree our continental brethren may have stepped beyond us in the pathological branch or'our art, the English veterinary surgeons, at any rate, have stood behind none in their therapeutic knowledge and its application to everyday practice. It is, however, not my purpose now to enter into a general disquisition on the therapeutics of veterinary medicine and surgery, but to say a few words regarding the action of sulphate of eserine on the bowels. I may first say that I have tried this drug hypodermically, as recommended by Dieckerhoff, and have invariably found it to be of little or no effect. When injected intravenously, however, the results have in each case been highly satisfactory. On May 19th, 1886, a six-year-old strong draught horse was affected with colic, due to obstinate constipation. We were called in to see it on the 20th, and gave a six-drachm aloes ball. At 4 p.m. on the 21st, there was no relief. The pulse was 96. The pain was almost continuous. From the foreman's calculations, there had been no passage for three days. One grain of sulphate of eserine was administered by intravenous injection into the jugular vein. In eight minutes there was extreme pain. The horse broke out in twenty minutes' time into profuse perspiration. There were marked muscular tremors. At the twelfth minute after the injection, hard freces together with fluid were passed. Violent straining continued for the next twenty minutes, during which time the animal voided no less than eight discharges of alvine material, several of the latter being quite fluid. The tenesmus and grunts were intensely extreme. Muscular tremors increased up to half an hour after the injection, after which time the animal quietened, and ate some mash, and the pulse went down to 6o. On leaving, further action was prevented by the administraticn of an opiate draught. The horse made a complete recovery. W e have also used this valuable salt in cattle. A cow had been
The Progress of Veteri1tary Scie1zce.
169
constipated for four days, and had during that period absolutely no passage. She had received full doses of Epsom salts, linseed oil, castor oil, aloes, calomel, and other aperients. Half a grain of sulphate of eserine was injected into the jugular vein, with no other result than pain manifested by frequent moanings, gurglings in the bowels, and restlessness. After an interval of half an hour, three-quarters of a grain of the salt were injected. In nine minutes the cow passed hard lumps and fluid freces. On the following day, three-quarters of a grain were again injected with good results. The animal had two or three passages afterwards during the day, and then made a gradual but complete recovery. We have tried it in three or four other cases, and find that unless from three-quarters to one grain is given, and that by intravenous injection, little or no action is produced. It is well to bear in mind that this drug should never be given except in very severe cases, as the action is so extremely excessive. SOME IDEAS CONNECTED WITH THE PROGRESS OF VETERINARY SCIENCE. BY GEORGE GRESSWELL AND J. B. GRESSWELL 1 LOUTH 1 LINCOLNSHIRE.
THE errors connected with various departments of veterinary science which are rampant in the public mind, though far less numerous and cogent than in former days, are still exceedingly productive of mischief. So much knowledge has been already gained, and so much good has been done in recent years, that one can only marvel how it is there are so many fountains of ignorance still almost untouched. Food for reflection is amply supplied by the contemplation of the past history of all science, and in the field of comparative pathology especially are we able to observe that very much earnest work, and very many active and energetic inquirers, are needed. The worst tendency in the human mind is, perhaps, that which leads men to pursue old methods, and to adhere to old ideas without attempting to advance and progress. In order to obviate such tendencies, fresh blood is continually required. New .and original men must be found and encouraged. Again, much must be done to educate the great mass of the people, whose seething ignorance of the laws of science, and especially of hygiene, is appalling. This can only be done by the cultivation of the literary spirit and power. People will not read, and we cannot expect them to read, that which they cannot easily understand. Unfortunately, as a rule, scientists do not usually write so as to be comprehended easily, even by fellow-workers in their own department of inquiry. There is a good deal of what may be called scientific pomposity used in ordinary scientific literature. VOL. XXIII.
N