SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIII. 629 



INDIGESTION FROM DRINKING COLD WATER (COLIC). 



This disorder is produced by drinking copiously of cold water, which 

 arrests digestion and produces cramp of the fourth stomach, probably 

 of the other stomachs, and also of the bowels. 



Causes. — It is not customary for the ox to drink much water at once. 

 In fact, he usually drinks slowly and as if he were merely tasting the 

 water. letting some fall out at the corners of his mouth at every mouth- 

 ful. It would, therefore, seem to be contrary to the habits of the ox 

 to drink largely; but we find that during hot weather, when he has 

 been working, and is consequently very thirsty, if he drinks a large 

 quantity of cold water he may be immediately taken with a very severe 

 colic. Cows which are fed largely on dry hay drink copiously, like 

 the working ox, and become affected in precisely the same manner. In 

 such cases they are seized with a chill or fit of trembling before the 

 cramps come on. 



Symptons.— There is some distension of the abdomen, but no accu- 

 mulation of gas. As the distention and pain occur immediately after 

 the animal has drunk the water, there can be no doubt as to the excit- 

 ing cause. 



Treatment.— Walk the animal about for ten minutes before admin- 

 istering medicine, as this allows time for a portion of the contents of 

 the stomach to pass into the bowel, and renders it safer to give medi- 

 cine. In may cases the walking exercise and the diarrhea bring 

 about a spontaneous cure of this disorder, but as in some instances 

 the cramps and pains of the stomachs persist, one may give 1 ounce 

 of sulphuric ether and 1 ounce of tincture of opium, shaken up with 

 a pint of warm water, and repeat the dose in half an hour if the ani- 

 mal is not relieved. In an emergency when medicine is not to be had, 

 half a pint of whiskey may be substituted for medicine, and should be 

 given mixed with a pint of warm water; or a tablesuoonful of pow- 

 dered ginger may be administered in the same way as the remedies 

 already mentioned. 



INDIGESTION IN CALVES (GASTROINTESTINAL CATARRH, 

 DIARRHEA, OR SCOUR). 



Sucking calves are subject to a form of diarrhea to which the above 

 designations have been applied. 



Causes. — Calves which suck their dams are not frequently affected 

 with this disease, though it may be occasioned by their sucking at 

 long intervals, and thus overloading the stomach and bringing on 

 indigestion, or from improper feeding of the dam on soft, watery, or 

 damaged foods. Suckling the calf at irregular times may also cause 

 it. Exposure to damp and cold is a potent predisposing cause. Calves 

 which are separated from their dams and which receive considerable 



