OF FARRIERY. 



20i 



tlie neck of the bladder is the suflFerer, and 

 suppression of urine then becomes remark- 

 able; but *hese are only in extreme cases. 

 The colic, as before stated, is dependent on a 

 spasm of the muscular structure of the intes- 

 tines. We have evident proof of this from 

 the appearances which present themselves 

 after death, in cases that have proved fatal ; 

 when the small intestines, most especially, 

 will be found puckered, and drawn together ; 

 or some portions will afford marks of violent 

 contractions, as though tied round with a 

 cord. Occasionally we find an interception, 

 or one portion of intestine invaginated within 

 the other ; in which case inflammation is 

 usually brought on by it. 



Spasmodic colic, however, usually exists 

 without inflammation, though it frequently 

 terminates in it, if you have either no speedy 

 remedy at hand, or probably a surgeon liv- 

 ing at some considerable distance off", is not 

 easily procured ; so that from its long con- 

 tinuance, or from violence, as rubbing the 

 belly with a hard stick, &c., which should on 

 00 pretence whatever be done. Powerful 

 purgatives to overcome the costiveness usu- 

 ally present, frequently have this tendency ; 

 but a still more frequent cause is the invagi- 

 nation of one portion of intestine within 

 another. There is great importance in at- 

 tending to the medical treatment of colic, that 

 it be not confounded with inflammation of the 

 bowels ; but a decision is by no means diffi- 

 cult, bv moderate attention and care, the 

 remedies being so diametrically opposite in 

 one disease, to what it is in the other. 



Spasmodic colic generally comes on very 

 sudden in its appearance, and not marked, as 

 in inflammation of the bowels, by previous 

 indisposition ; but the Horse is at once at- 



tacked with considerable unea.«iness, shifting 

 his position from side to sioo, pawing the 

 ground, and stamping with his feet, impa- 

 tiently and violently. 



In a few minutes after this, the pain will 

 appear to go off, and leave the Horse tole- 

 rably easy ; but in inflammation of the bowels, 

 the pain constantly occasions the stamping, 

 and the pain does not go off, even for the 

 shortest time. As the colic proceeds, the re- 

 missions become less and less ; the Horse lies, 

 down frequently, and on rising, shakes him- 

 self; looking anxiously round to his sides, and 

 sometimes, iilk desperate cases, he will even 

 bite them, or snap at them with his teeth ; the 

 Horse also strikes at his belly with his hind 

 feet, as if determined himself to remove the 

 pain, if possible. In inflammation of the 

 bowels, the above symptoms are seldom so 

 severe, the acute pain not being so great. 



When on the ground, the Horse frequently 

 rolls on his back ; in which situation he will 

 remain for four or five seconds, or probably 

 roll over ; neither of which are done in simple 

 inflammation. 



The pulse is the next thing to take your 

 attention; which in colic, seldom becomes 

 much altered from its natural state, unless the 

 colic has existed some considerable time, 

 when marks of general irritation sometimes 

 present themselves; the pulse being some- 

 what hardened and quickened. Sometimes 

 when the paroxysms are on, a slight altera- 

 tion may then be felt; also in the early 

 stages, should the pain be great ; but slight 

 alterations occur and cease on the pain going 



off". 



I have been very particular in describmg 

 the symptoms, that mistakes may be avoided ; 

 for, if the Horse be under the immediale 

 3 F 



