■2SQ HEALTH AND DISEASE 



different portions will vary in consistence, traceable to a sudden change 

 from soft to hard food or the reverse. 



The quickened pulse and breathing observed during the paroxysms of 

 suffering pass away when the pain has subsided, and in the intervals show 

 little or no disturbance. 



In favourable cases the intermissions of pain are prolonged in duration 

 and the symptoms less acute. If, however, the severity of the attack 

 increases and the intervals of ease become shorter, it portends danger. 



Treatment. — The timely administration of a diffusible stimulant is 

 often sufficient to relieve a passing spasm, but it is more to the point in 



Fig. 101.— Spasmodic Colic ('2) 



these cases to administer a ball of aloes without loss of time. This will 

 have the effect of keeping down the tendency to inflammation and remove 

 offending matter from the bowels. Opium in various forms, as ammoniated 

 tincture of laudanum alone, or in combination with ether or aromatic spirit 

 of ammonia, are most useful in subduing pain and controlling spasm. The 

 repeated administration of opium has the effect of retarding the action 

 of the bowels, however, and many horses have been lost from the want 

 of an aperient to counteract it. This the aloes ball does from the first, 

 enabling us to give bolder doses and to continue them over a longer time. 

 Where drenching is undesirable, morphia or belladonna may be injected 

 beneath the skin by means of a suitable syringe. Used in this manner, 

 morphia is said to have all the good effects of opium without its objections. 



