ENTANGLEMENT OF THE BOWELS. WORMS. 239 



consequence of pre-existing disease, and occasioned by some irregul?T action tf the 

 muscular tunic, or some irritation of the mucous surface. 

 A more formidable, but not so frequent disease is 



ENTANGLEMENT OF THE BOWELS. 



This is another and singular consequence of colic. Although the ileum is enveloped 

 in the mesentery, and its motion to a considerable degree confined, yet under the 

 spasm of colic, and during the violence with which the animal rolls and throws him- 

 self about, portions of the intestine become so entangled as to be twisted into nooses 

 and knots, drawn together with a degree of tightness scarcely credible. Nothing but 

 the extreme and continued torture of the animal can lead us to suspect that this has 

 taken place, and, could we ascertain its existence, there would be no cure. 



An interesting case occurred in the practice of Mr. Spooner of Southampton. A 

 mare at grass was suddenly taken ill. She discovered symptoms of violent colic, for 

 which anti-spasmodic and aperient medicines were promptly administered, and she 

 was copiously bled. The most active treatment was had recourse to, but without 

 avail, and she died in less than four-and-twenty hours without a momentary relief 

 from pain. 



The small intestines were completely black from inflammation, and portions of 

 them were knotted together in the singular way delineated in this cut. The parts are 

 a little loosened in order better to show the entanglement of the intestines, but in the 

 animal they were drawn into a tight knot, and completely intercepted all passage. 



The cause of this was probably some acrid principle in the grass, and many a horse 

 is thus destroyed by the abominable and poisonous drinks of the farrier.* 



WORMS. 



V/oims of difleient kinds inhabit the intestines ; but, except when they exist IK 

 great numbers, they are not so hurtful as is generally supposed, although the 



Veterinarian, VI. 12 



