:i06 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



influence of existing spasm, it will in some 

 instances present a full bounding pulse, but 

 oftener a wiry, though quickened beat ; both 

 of which may be taken for inflammation. The 

 leffs in colic are but seldom affected, and 

 never remain cold for considerable periods 

 together ; but the coat stares, and the Horse 

 breaks out frequently into cold sweats. He 

 frequently attempts to stale, without eff'ect ; 

 at others, he stales frequently. Generally 

 the Horse is costive ; a few dry balls only 

 being forced from him during the spasmodic 

 fits. 



There are various causes vAVich produce 

 spasmodic colic. Cold, supervening on heat, 

 either through the medium of application of the 

 skin, or by application at once to the bowels, 

 in the form of cold water, taken when the 

 Horse is very warm. Costiveness will some- 

 times occasion it, improper food ; also tares, 

 or vetches, given on their being first cut. 

 When they are full of moisture, the Horse is 

 apt to eat greedily of them ; and especially, 

 if the weather be warm at such time of the 

 year. 



In some Horses, gripes occur exceedingly 

 frequent, under every variation of food, situa- 

 tion, habits, &c. ; so as to give reason to 

 suppose there must be some peculiarity of 

 formation, hereditary tendency, or the pre- 

 sence of calculi in the intestines. This latter, 

 I have great reason to believe, is much more 

 frequent, than by some persons it is allowed 

 to be. 



For the cure of gripes, I should recom- 

 mend bleeding ; and that, more or less libe- 

 rally, according to the violence ; or its having 

 commenced some hours, without mitigation. 

 Extensive bleeding, be it remembered, is one 

 «f the most powerful relaxers of spasm, with 



which we are acquainted with ; and insteaii 

 of its being an antagonist to the antispasmodic 

 treatment, usually adopted by internal reme- 

 dies, it is found to be infinitely increased in 

 eflficacy ; and especially when conjoined with 

 opium. Though most of the ordinary cases of 

 gripes will go off" by the common treatment 

 of stimulants, and many will go off" without 

 any treatment at all, yet bleeding is always a 

 safe and prudent precaution in all cases, as 

 a preventive of inflammation ; and, in the 

 more aggravated cases, it becomes essentially 

 necessary, both to combat the inflammatory 

 tendency, and to promote the relaxation of the 

 spasmodic irritation. It is likewise particu- 

 larly to be noticed, in those violent or pro- 

 tracted cases, to counteract the irritative 

 qualities of the antispasmodics already given ; 

 which in simple gripes may do no harm, yet 

 may not prove so, when an inflammatory ten- 

 dency is at all suspected, or already begun. 

 In every such case, bleed liberally ; say, at 

 least six quarts ; which, if the Horse be in any 

 thing like moderate condition, cannot do harm. 

 I have known Horses bled in the mouth for 

 gripes ; but never saw any good arise from it. 

 Giving the Horse a brisk trot for about a 

 quarter of an hour, after either of the follow- 

 ins: remedies, I have known do considerable 

 good ; but never go faster than the trot. 

 Brushing the belly well, will be of service ; 

 but never rub with a stick, as this will tend 

 to bruise the parts, more than do good. I 

 have known the turpentine liniment rubbed 

 well all over the abdomen to be a great 

 assistant in removing the spasm. I do not 

 approve of hot fomentations, the water that 

 may lodge in the hair, becoming cold, will 

 frustrate all your intentions. 



As internal remedies, either of the fullowing 



