DISEASES OF HORSES 119 



equal distribution of or interference with the nervous supply here 

 produces cramp of the bowels, the same as external cramps are pro- 

 duced. Spasmodic colic is much more frequently met with in high- 

 bred, nervous horses than in coarse, lymphatic ones. 



Symptoms. These should be carefully studied in order to 

 diagnose this from other forms of colic requiring quite different 

 treatment. Spasmodic colic always begins suddenly. If feeding, 

 the horse is seen to stop abruptly, stamp impatiently, and probably 

 look back. He soon evinces more acute pain, and this is shown by 

 pawing, suddenly lying down, rolling, and getting up. During the 

 period of pain the intestinal sounds, as heard by applying the ear 

 over the flank, are louder than in health. There is then an interval 

 of ease ; he will resume feeding and appear to be entirely well. In a 

 little while, however, the pains return and are increased in severity, 

 only to again pass off for a time. As the attack progresses these in- 

 tervals of ease become shorter and shorter, and pain may be con- 

 tinuous. Animals suffering from this form of colic evince the most 

 intense pain ; they throw themselves down, roll over and over, jump 

 up, whirl about, drop down again, paw, or strike rather, with the 

 front feet, steam and sweat, and make frequejit attempts to pass 

 their urine. Only a small amount of water is passed at a time, and 

 this is due to the bladder being so frequently emptied. These at- 

 tempts to urinate are often regarded by horsemen as symptoms of 

 trouble of the kidneys or bladder. In reality they are only one of 

 the many ways in which the horse expresses the presence of pain. 

 As a matter of fact, diseases of the bladder or kidneys of the horse 

 are exceedingly rare. 



To recapitulate the symptoms of spasmodic colic: Keep in 

 mind the history of the case, the type of horse, the suddenness of 

 the attack, the increased intestinal sounds, the intervals of ease, the 

 violent pain, the normal temperature and pulse during the intervals 

 of ease, the frequent attempts to urinate, etc., and there is but little 

 danger of confounding this with other forms of colic. 



Treatment. Since the pain is due to spasm, or cramp, of the 

 bowels, medicines that overcome spasms are the ones indicated. 

 Chloral hydrate may be used. This is to be given in a dose of 1 

 ounce in a pint of water as a drench. As this drug is irritant to the 

 throat and stomach, it has to be well diluted. A common and good 

 remedy is sulphuric ether and laudanum ; of each 2 ounces in a half 

 pint of linseed oil. Another drench may be composed of 2 ounces 

 each of sulphuric ether and alcohol in 8 ounces of water. If 

 nothing else is at hand give whisky, one-half pint in hot water. 

 Jamaica ginger is useful. If relief is not obtained in one hour from 

 any of the above doses, they may then be repeated. The body 

 should be warmly clothed and perspiration induced. Blankets dipped 

 in very hot water to which a small quantity of turpentine has been 

 added should be placed around the belly and covered with dry 

 blankets, or the abdomen may be rubbed with stimulating liniments 

 or mustard water. The difficulty, however, of applying hot blanket" 

 and keeping them in place forces us in most instances to dispense 



