12 Compaction Colic 



mild. If any passages are thrown off from the intestional canal, they 

 are less than normal, and often are covered by a dirty white mucous. 



As the case proceeds, the symptoms become more distinct, and the 

 horse usually drops the head and may break out in a sweat, more dis- 

 tinct at the base of the ears. It is not necessary that all mentioned 

 symptoms be present for horses to have compaction colic, and others not 

 mentioned may be present. 



TREATMENT 



This should begin as soon as the first symptoms are noticed. Give 

 the horse an injection by the way of the rectum of I/2 to 2 gallon of luke 

 warm soap suds water that has previously had 1/4 pi^t of common salt 

 mixed in it. Too strong soap suds may cause unnecessary irritation. 

 The amount to inject depends on how it is retained. If the horse retains 

 1/^ gallon that is enough if given 2 or 3 times every 24 hours. If little is 

 retained more should be used and used oftener. Good injections can 

 be made with a 10 cent tin funnel and 3 feet of rubber gas tubing well 

 oiled which can be bought at any drug store, a 14 inch rubber tube is 

 best. (See cut of necessary instruments page 18, fig. 7). I do not favor 

 bucket pumps for this purpose. 



MEDICAL TREATMENT 

 There are 2 objects in view in Compaction colic. I To pass the ob- 

 structed food through the canal. II To prevent inflamation of the intes- 

 tional canal. To accomplish these is an art in the farming business. Lin- 

 seed oil stands above all other drugs and remedies to soften the mass for 

 it can be given in large quantities up to 4 or 5 quarts for horses weighing 

 1800 lbs. It does not induce inflamation of the bowels as calomel and 

 many quick acting drugs. It does not leave the horse foundered as 

 many of the quick acting drugs sometimes do when given in large doses. 

 It is among the cheaper of vegetable oils. It will move the bowels with- 

 out leaving the horse in a weakened physical condition. For the first 

 dose give 2 quarts raw oil to horses weighing 700 to 1000 lbs. and 3 

 quarts raw oil to horses weighing 1000 to 1800 lbs. Every 12 hours 

 give % the above amount and if the case is an advanced one give more at 

 first. Continue giving oil every 12 hours till the horse's bowels move 

 or 4 quarts @ 1000 lbs. is given. 



A horse's bowels seldom act properly under 20 hours with Compaction 

 colic and usually 4 quarts has to be given horses weighing 1000 lbs. 

 before they move according to my experience. 



