Common Diseases of the Horse 209 



caused when the patient is rendered desperate by the pain; the 

 horse throws himself violently to the ground. 



Treatment. — Every effort must be directed to disperse the gas 

 and arrest any further fermentation, and remembering that the 

 cause is due to fermenting food the administration of antiseptics 

 is indicated. One of the most successful is \\ oz. of turpentine 

 given in i to i^ pt. of linseed oil. Another remedy is 2 oz. of 

 sweet spirits of nitre in a wine bottle full of water, and it is helped 

 in its action by the addition of cayenne pepper, or ginger. 



The rectum must be examined, any dung removed, and warm 

 soapy water enemata administered every two hours. 



During the intervals of freedom from pain the belly may 

 be well hand -rubbed or wisped, and hot-water cloths applied. 

 Walking exercise will also help to disperse the gas. 



A favourable symptom in the course of flatulent colic is the 

 escape of wind by the anus, but if in spite of the above remedy 

 the swelling continues, nothing is left but to liberate the gas by 

 piercing the abdominal wall and bowel. This, of course, must be 

 done by a veterinary surgeon, and one cannot too strongly advise 

 horse owners to seek his advice unless abdominal pain is very 

 speedily relieved, because many cases end fatally through lack of 

 only a little proper treatment at the critical time. 



Wind sucking produces a distention of the abdomen similar to 

 that which occurs in flatulent colic, but in this case the cause is 

 apparent. As a rule there is little or no colicky pain, because the 

 animal discontinues the practice when he finds that it is causing 

 him pain. 



Some care is required after recovery from any kind of colic. 

 The horse should not be put to work until he has entirely re- 

 covered from the effects of the treatment, particularly if a dose 

 of aloes has been administered. The bowels should resume their 

 normal action, and until then only light exercise should be given. 

 The patient will require light digestible food for a few days and 

 gradually brought back to everyday diet. Prevention is always better 

 than cure. The cause should always, therefore, be sought after and 

 steps taken to prevent a recurrence of the trouble. Many horses 

 having been accustomed to hard food become attacked by colic 

 when put upon a whole or partial grass diet, or when they are 

 given roots or green food of any kind. The diet should be 

 regulated in the same way as that of a human being. The owner 

 should thoroughly understand his horse. 



Small feeds at frequent intervals are the best means of pre- 

 venting this malady. 



Vol.. 111. 47 



