MANUAL FOR STABLE SERGEANTS. 121 



blefood; frozen food; and sudden changes from one variety of food 

 to another. 



Symptoms. — Sudden and more or less violent attacks of pain, last- 

 ing from 5 to 10 minutes, with a tendency to recur. The animal 

 paws, walks about, sweats profusely, rolls, and when the pain is 

 severe, may throw himself violently down. During the attacks a 

 few pellets of dung may be passed, and the animal may strain as if 

 attempting to urinate. The latter symptom must not be mistaken 

 for kidney trouble. The temperature is normal or only slightly 

 elevated. 



Treatment. — Place the animal in a large, well-bedded stall, or on 

 a soft spot of ground where there is plenty of room to roll without 

 danger, then give the following drench : 



Spirits nitrous ether ounces. . 2 



Cannabis indica drams. . 3 



Water to make a pint. 



(In the absence of cannabis indica, 1 dram fluid extract of bella- 

 donna may be used. Sulphuric ether or aromatic spirits of ammonia 

 may be used instead of nitrous ether. ) 



Give at one dose. If there is no relief in one-half hour, give 1^ 

 pints linseed oil or 6 drams of aloes. Give rectal injections of 5 or 6 

 gallons of warm water. Rub and massage the belly. The spirits 

 of nitrous ether and cannabis indica may be repeated in one hour 

 if necessary. 



Withhold food for 12 hours after all pain has disappeared, and feed 

 sparingly for the next day or two. 



414. Flatulent coHc (wind colic). — A painful affection of the 

 stomach and bowels due to their distention with gas. 



Causes. — Improper foods, such as musty or moldy oats or corn, or 

 sour bran; green foods, as corn, clover, and alfalfa, especially when 

 eaten wet or frosted; new hay and new oats; sudden changes of diet, 

 and feeding animals that are overheated and exhausted. The dis- 

 ease is frequently observed in wind-suckers and cribbers. 



Symptoms. — Bloating and swelling of the abdomen; continuous 

 colicky pains, mild at first, but increasing in severity as the abdomen 

 becomes more and more distended with gas. There are no periods 

 of ease as in spasmodic colic. The animal may lie down, but for a 

 short time only. Walking is painful, breathing is rapid and. difficult, 

 and there is great restlessness. Temperature normal or sUghtly 

 elevated. 



