SPASMODIC COLIC. 59 



pain. As a matter of fact, diseases of the bladder or kidneys of the 

 horse are exceedingly rare. 



To recapitulate the symptoms of spasmodic colic : Keep in mind the 

 history of the case, the type of horse, the suddenness of the attack, 

 the increased intestinal sounds, the intervals of ease (which become of 

 shorter duration as the case progi'esses), the violent pain, the normal 

 temperature and pulse during the intervals of ease, the frequent 

 attempts to urinate, etc., and there is but little danger of confounding 

 this with other forms of colic, 



Treatinent. — Since the pain is due to spasm, or cramp, of the 

 bowels, medicines that overcome spasms — antispasmodics — are the 

 ones indicated. Chloral hydrate may be used. This is to be given in 

 a dose of 1 ounce in a pint of water as a drench. As this drug is 

 irritant to the throat and stomach, it has to be well diluted. A com- 

 mon and good remedy is sulphuric ether and laudanum; of each 2 

 ounces in a half pint of linseed oil. Another drench may be com- 

 posed of 2 ounces each of sulphuric ether and alcohol in 8 ounces of 

 water. If nothing else is at hand give whisky, one-half pint in hot 

 water. Jamaica ginger is useful. If relief is not obtained in one 

 hour from any of the above doses, they may then be repeated. The 

 body should be warmly clothed and perspiration induced. Blankets 

 dipped in very hot water to which a small quantity of turpentine has 

 been added should be placed around the belly and covered with dry 

 blankets, or the abdomen may be rubbed with stimulating liniments 

 or mustard water. The difficulty, however, of applying hot blankets 

 and keeping them in place forces us in most instances to dispense with 

 them. If the cramp is due to irritants in the bowels, a cure is not 

 complete until there is given a cathartic of 1 ounce of aloes or 1 pint 

 of linseed oil. Injections into the rectum of warm soapy water or 

 salt and water aid the cure. 



Rectal injections, clysters, or enemas as a rule should be lukewarm, 

 and from 3 to 6 quarts are to be given at a time. They may be 

 repeated every half hour if necessary. Great care is to be taken not 

 to injure the rectum in giving such injections. A large syringe or a 

 piece of rubber hose 4 or 5 feet long, with a funnel attached at one 

 end, affords the best means by which to give them. The pipe of the 

 syringe or the hose introduced into the rectum must be blunt, rounded, 

 and smooth. It is to be thoroughly oiled and then carefully pushed 

 through the anus in a slightly upward direction. Much force must 

 be avoided, for the rectum may be lacerated and serious complications 

 or even death result. Exercise will aid the action of the bowels in this 

 and similar colicky troubles, but severe galloping or trotting is to be 

 avoided. If the horse can have a loose box or paddock, it is the best, 

 as he will then take what exercise he wants. If the patient be ex- 

 tremely violent, it is often wise to restrain him by leading him with a 



