261 CHAPTER 30. 



Favorable indications are given by an increase in the intervals of time 

 between the attacks, and by each attack becoming slighter. Again, if 

 the patient passes wind freely and soft dung, it is a favorable sign. The 

 increase or decrease of the attack is also indicated by the increasing or 

 decreasing tenseness of the belly. 



In pure colic, it is especially to be remarked that the extremities 

 continue warm and the skin remains in its usual state. The symptoms 

 are only those of great spasmodic pain. There is no inflammation pre- 

 sent, nor any sign of it. 



537. Distinction in symptoms between Colic and Inflammation of the 



Intestines. 



Colic is at once distinguished from inflammation of the intestines by 

 the attack being sudden, without any previous inflammatory symptoms, 

 by the pain being intermittent, and by the extremities being warm. 

 The pain is also far more severe than in enteritis. During the inter- 

 missions of pain the pulse in colio is strong, whilst in enteritis it con- 

 tinues throughout quick and small. 



538. Causes of Colic. 



The causes of Colic are very various, but by far the most numerous 

 cases arise from some impropriety in the watering or feeding, as already 

 explained in Chapter 4, to which, in order to avoid repetition, we must 

 refer the reader. 



Among other common causes are crib-biting, worms, obstructions in 

 the intestinal canal, such as dust balls often found in millers' horses, 

 hair balls, calcareous or other accretions resulting from the use of hard 

 or mineral waters, and also a large draught of cold water taken when 

 the body is warm, which is dangerous, unless the horse is gently led 

 about afterwards for some little time. (See par. 63.) 



Colic may also be produced by those causes which induce indigestion 

 generally, such as the mucous coat of the stomach and intestines not 

 furnishing the secretion indispensably necessary for the due conversion 

 of the food into alimentary and faecal matter ; or the mastication may 

 not be properly performed ; or the secretions of the salivary glands or 

 those of the liver may be bad or defective ; or the peristaltic motion 

 may be sluggish from general debility, or from costiveness. All these 

 . causes are, however, aggravated, if not in many cases produced, by 

 improper feeding and watering, aided perhaps by want of due exercise. 



Occasionally Colic is due to the effect of purgative medicine. This is 

 especially apt to be the case where the animal has not been properly 

 prepared for physic. At other times it may arise from a sudden chill, 

 such as that caused by allowing a horse in a sweat to stand in a draught. 

 Hernia may also be a cause of colic. In a gelding a dirty sheath fre- 

 quently causes Colic. 



Finally, any sudden change of diet, or bad food of any sort, which is 

 not easily or properly assimilated in the stomach, or an excessive quan- 



