692 SPOKADIC DISEASES. 



to an attack of spasmodic, is a condition from which much 

 more serious results are to be apprehended thai} the spasmodic. 

 Its causes are — weakness of digestion, but most commonly 

 food which easily undergoes fermentation, such as raw potatoes, 

 green clover, a mixture of maltcums and brewer's grains, wheat, 

 and boiled food. 



In this form of colic the expression of pain, though not so 

 acute, is much more constant than in the spasmodic form ; 

 the abdomen is more or less tensely swollen, and resonant upon 

 percussion; the pulse soon becomes rapid and feeble, the breathing 

 difficult and mostly thoracic, the extremities become cold, there 

 is more or less delirium, the animal reels to and fro ; twitching 

 of the muscles, retraction of the lips, and if relief be not afforded, 

 death ensues either from asphyxia, blood poisoning from ab- 

 sorption of gases, or rupture of some portion of the intestines. 

 When the animal lies down or rolls it is observed that it per- 

 forms these acts much more carefully than when suffering from 

 spasm. 



Tympanites may arise independently of any cognizable ex- 

 trinsic cause. Occurring during the progress of another disease, 

 it is always to be looked upon as indicative of a very grave 

 condition, that the animal powers are so exhausted as to be 

 bordering upon dissolution, and becoming amenable to chemical 

 laws. Tympanites also occurs in obstructions of the intestinal 

 canal from calculi, tumours, or other mechanical causes, and 

 generally indicates the approach of death. 



Treatment of Spasmodic Colic. — Slight attacks are often per- 

 manently relieved by tincture of opium, with spirit of nitrous 

 ether, administered as a draught with water, or with eight to ten 

 ounces of linseed oil. If relief be not afforded, say in half an 

 hour, and if the colic be not associated with inflammatory 

 symptoms, an attempt must be made to remove the source 

 of irritation by means of cathartics or aperients. The late 

 Professor John Gamgee recommended as the sole treatment the 

 administration of a ball containing from eight to ten drachms 

 of aloes, according to the size of the horses, if fed upon dry food ; 

 but if the food were of a succulent nature smaller doses were 

 to be given, with enemas of warm water. He condemned the 

 use of anodynes and stimulants. Other practitioners prefer to 

 give from twelve to twenty ounces of linseed oil, combined 



