144: THE HORSE, 



commend all my readers to adopt the same plan. The 

 earlier proper advice is obtained, and the more carefully 

 and faithfully the instructions given are carried out, 

 the gi-eater is the certainty of a favourable result. At 

 the present time, however, I will venture to say a few 

 words on the treatment of colic. I am impelled to this 

 by the strong impression which has been made on my 

 mind by the perusal of a pamphlet on the subject, 

 which was kindly sent me by its author, Mr. Joseph 

 Gamgee. The views therein inculcated are so plain 

 and rational, and so consistent with the doctrines I 

 hold in regard to the human subject, that I will place 

 some of them before my readers. 



Colic seldom, if ever, occurs in the horse except in 

 connexion mth a loaded state of the bowels, or the 

 presence of undigested food in the stomach. Hence 

 the very first indication of rational treatment is the 

 administration of purgatives, to clear the digestive 

 organs of all their ii'ritating contents. On this plan, 

 we strike at the foundation of disease, and remove the 

 cause of all the mischief, and relief is nearly certain to 

 ensue. Whereas, on the ordinary plan of merely re- 

 lieving the symptoms by the exhibition of opium to 

 deaden the sensibility of the parts to pain, the cause of 

 the disease i§ overlooked and remains untouched, and 

 obstinate constipation, accompanied with violent inflam- 

 mation, is very likely to follow. Horses and cows are 



