690 SPORADIC DISEASES. 



especially if the paralysis be in the large intestines, namely, a 

 dilated, dry, and non-contractile condition of the rectum, which 

 feels, when the hand is introduced, as a large cavity with 

 passive walls. 



COLIC. 



Colic is of two kinds, namely, 1st. Spasmodic; and 2d. Flatulent. 



Spasmodic Colic. — A spasmodic contraction of the muscular 

 coats of the intestines, which may run on to inflammation, due 

 to improper food, sudden changes of diet, exhaustion from over- 

 work, particularly if associated with long fasting, and to other cir- 

 cumstances, trivial in themselves, and quite iusuflicient as causes 

 if uncombined with other disturbing influences. For example, a 

 drink of cold water is often supposed to cause colic. Now 

 water, no matter how abundantly it might be drank, as is 

 witnessed in diabetes, does not cause colic ; but if an animal 

 be exhausted by a long journey, or bathed in profuse perspira- 

 tion, cold water may then cause disturbance and abdominal pain. 



Subcutaneous injections of chloride of barium, 12 to 15 grains, 

 or of physostigma, 2 grains, are exceedingly serviceable in non- 

 inflammatory constipation, but exceedingly dangerous where the 

 condition is associated with signs of inflammation. 



Colicky pains are also synijDtomatic of intestinal concretions, 

 parasites, introsusception, mesenteric abscesses, and of diseases 

 of other organs, such as the pleura, kidneys, liver, &c. On this 

 account colic has been divided by some authors into true and 

 false; the true including the colicky pains arising from all 

 intestinal diseases involving structural change, and the false 

 those from other causes. 



Amongst other causes of colicky pains may be enumerated 

 mesenteric abscesses, succeeding strangles or other suppurative 

 disease, ulcers in the stomach, the irritation of numerous para- 

 sites, cancer, and chronic inflammation and thickening of the 

 intestinal walls. 



I have seen two cases of chronic induration of the duodenum 

 and pylorus. The symptoms in both were as follows : — 

 Capricious appetite, slight colicky pains succeeding in about 

 two hours after a meal, a peculiar staring appearance of the eye, 

 hanging back in the stall to the full length of the collar shank, 

 a peculiar frightened look, ii'regularity of the heart's action, the 



