COLIC. 621 



In colic caused by something abnormal in the intestines, evacuants 

 are indicated, particularly those which do not, like the drastics them- 

 selves, cause colicky pains. The internal administration of castor-oil, 

 and the use of enemata, are most advantageous. If exposure of the 

 feet or abdomen were the cause of the colic, the causal indications 

 require a diaphoretic treatment ; and the popular aromatic teas, the 

 bottles of warm water and warm stones applied to the abdomen, are 

 very suitable in these cases. 



In all forms of the affection, the indications from the disease require 

 the administration of narcotics, particularly of opium. In the neuralgic 

 form, the action of opium is explained by its anaesthetic effect. In 

 colica stercoracea, flatulenta, etc., there seems to be also a second ac- 

 tion. The contractions of the intestinal muscles, which drive the gases 

 and faeces toward certain parts of the intestines, or confine them there, 

 are removed by the use of opium, and thus the contents are enabled 

 to spread out over large portions of the intestines. In colica flatulenta 

 and stercoracea, warm teas of camomile, peppermint, and valerian, 

 drunk by the cupful, or used as enemata, have great reputation, as 

 have also some other carminatives, and long and continued friction of 

 the abdomen with warm oil. Opium is the most effectual remedy 

 against lead-colic, and is used, even by the homoeopaths, in full doses, 

 in this disease. We should not be afraid of using it, under the im- 

 pression that it will increase the constipation already existing. There 

 is no remedy more successful than opium in relieving the constipation 

 in lead-colic. This seems to favor the idea that, in that disease, be- 

 sides the hyperaesthesia, there is a spasmodic contraction of the intes- 

 tine, and that this causes the constipation. (Rorriberg considers this 

 hypothesis improbable, as we cannot believe in a spasm lasting a week, 

 and he considers the immobility of the bowels to be due to the pain, 

 just as in sciatica the movements of the leg affected are restricted.) 

 But, although opium is the most important remedy for the constipa- 

 tion, and is of more benefit than laxatives, when it is given alone, still 

 we should not neglect to use them with opium. Recently, croton-oil 

 is the cathartic most frequently given in lead-colic. In most cases, we 

 shall have a good result from the administration of | 1 gr. opium, 

 three times daily, and every two hours one tablespoonful of a mixture 

 of croton-oil (gtt. iij) and castor-oil ( 1 ij). Warm baths, narcotic cata- 

 plasms, and the alternate use of laxative and narcotic enemata, aid 

 this treatment. Besides this simple treatment, and slight modifica- 

 tions of it, consisting in the use of other laxatives, such as epsom salts, 

 senna, calomel, and a bolder or more careful use of opium, there is a 

 series of complicated methods, among which the treatment at La 

 Charity is particularly celebrated. In all these methods of treatment, 



