COLIC. 657 



speciality of tlie symptoms, all, however, essentially indicative 

 of abdominal pain and intestinal disturbance, and usually re- 

 cognised under the name of 



Flatulent or Tympanitic Colic. — This condition of distension 

 of the intestines with gas may occur as a distinct unnatural 

 condition of itself, or it may follow or accompany the state of 

 spasm or impaction. 



When appearing unassociated with either of these already 

 noted conditions it is generally found to be the result of some 

 acute and extensive disturbance of the digestive function inci- 

 dent to a shortly antecedent speciality in diet, or it may follow 

 as the result of an inveterate habit of crib-biting. Food that 

 is succulent, or which from its mechanical or chemical charac- 

 ters is prone to undergo rapidly fermentative changes, is particu- 

 larly liable to induce this condition of tympany, specially when 

 received in certain states of the system. 



The symptoms in well-marked flatulent colic, although 

 quite distinctive and pronounced, are not so attractive or acute, 

 apparently, as when spasm is the leading feature ; they are 

 more constant, and the results in severe cases are more to be 

 dreaded than in the more frequently occurring spasmodic 

 form. When developing unassociated with any other disordered 

 condition the seizure is usually sudden ; the horse becomes 

 restless, as in all abdominal disturbance ; patchy perspiration 

 may break over the body, shortly to be followed — if these 

 symptoms have not been preceded — by distension of the 

 abdomen, which is tense and resonant on percussion ; tho 

 breathing is short, catching, and thoracic ; the pulse increased 

 in frequency and altered in character. In some animals there 

 may be observed a swollen and everted state of the anus and 

 vulva, which looks very serious, but usually subsides with the 

 subsidence of the more acute conditions of the tympany. In 

 this state of abdominal distension the horse is not disposed to 

 roll or even to lie down, which he seems afraid to do ; and 

 when he makes the attempt it is always in a cautious manner — 

 nor can he rest when down. 



Should rehef not be afforded, the continued distension and 

 thoracic compression is most likely to give rise to further 

 untoward symptoms connected with the circulatory and res- 

 piratory functions ; while it is not uncommon that a fatal 



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