206 THE HORSE. 



frequently o(i his back. In a few minutes the pain seems to cea^'e, tha 

 horse shakes himself, and begins to feed; but, on a sudden, tiie spasm 

 returns more violently, every indication of pain is increased, he heaves at 

 the flanks, breaks out into a profuse perspiration, and throws himself more 

 violently about. In the space of an hour or two, either the spasms begin 

 to relax, and the remissions are of longer duration, or the torture is aug- 

 mented at every paroxysm, the intervals of ease are fewer and less marked, 

 and inflammation and death supervene. 



Of the symptoms by which it may be best distinguished from inflamma- 

 tion of the bowels, we shall speak when we treat of that disease. Among 

 the causes of colic are, the drinking of cold water when the horse is heated. 

 There is not a surer cause of violent spasm than this. Colic will some- 

 times follow the exposure of a horse to the cold air, or a cold wind after 

 violent exercise. Green meat, although, generally speaking, most benefi- 

 cial to the horse, yet given in too large a quantity, or when the horse is hot, 

 will fretiuently produce gripes. In some horses there seem; to be a con- 

 stitutional predisposition to colic. They cannot be hardly worked, or 

 exposed to unusual cold, without a fit of it. In many cases, when these 

 horses have died, stones have been found in some part of the alimentary 

 canal. 



Fortunately, we are acquainted with several medicines that allay these 

 spasms; and the disease often ceases almost as suddenly as it aj)peared. 

 Turpentine is one of the most powerful remedies, especially if given in 

 union with opium. Three ounces of spirit or oil of turpentine, with an 

 ounce of laudanum, given in a pint of warm ale, will frequently have ar. 

 almost instantaneous effect. The account which we have just given of the 

 ccecum will not be forgotten. Even a small quantity of fluid will seldom 

 be detained in the stomach, but will pass through the ileum to the caecum 

 or water-stomach, and in this passage will come in immediate contact with 

 the spasmed pait. 



If relief be not obtained in half an hour, it will be prudent to bleed, 

 because the continuance of violent spasm will produce inflammation. 

 Some practitioners bleed at first, and it is far from bad practice ; for, although 

 the majority of cases will yield to turpentine, opium, and aloes, an early 

 bleeding may occasionally prevent the occurrence of inflammation, or at 

 least mitigate it. If it be clearly a case of colic, half of the first dose may 

 be repeated, with a full ounce of Barbadoes aloes, dissolved in warm water. 

 The stimulus produced on the inner surface of the bowels by the purgative 

 .■nay counteract the irritation which caused the spasm. The belly should 

 je well rubbed with a brush or warmed cloth, but not bruised and injured 

 by the broom-handle rubbed over the belly by two great fellows with all 

 .heir strength. The horse should be walked about, or trotted moderately. 

 The motion thus produced in the bowels, and the friction of one intestine 

 over the other, may relax the spasm, but the hasty gallop may speedily 

 cause inflammation to succeed to colic. Clysters of warm water, or con- 

 taining a solution of aloes, will be injected. The patent syringe will here 

 be most useful. 



When relief has been obtained, the clothing of the horse, saturated with 

 perspiration, should be removed, and fresh, dry clothing substituted. He 

 should be well littered down in a warm stable or box, and have bran mashes 

 for the two or three next days, and drink only lukewarm water. 



Some persons give gin, and even gin and pepper, in cases of gripes. 

 This, however, is a pi'actice to which we strongly object ; it may be useful, 

 or even sufficient, in ordinary cases of colic, but if there be any inflamma- 

 tion, or tendency to inflammation, it cannot fail to be highly injurious. 



