703 SPORADIC DISEASES. 



behind, remedies calculated to relieve spasm may prevent its 

 occurrence, but cannot overcome it when once established. 



. VOLVULUS, OR TWISTED BOWEL, 



May occur in either the small or large intestines, and, like 

 strangulation of the intestines by pedunculated tumours, or from 

 their entrance into the inguinal canal or the foramen of 

 Winslow, are but rarely witnessed, even in the horse, and their 

 exact diagnosis is attended with difhculty. It is true that some 

 practitioners assert that when a horse resists the introduction 

 of the hand into the rectum by straining, that it is indicative of 

 volvulus of the colon ; but if, on the contrary, the rectum be 

 found passively distended — hollow — that it indicates impaction 

 and paralytic loss of function of that bowel. I have seen many 

 cases in my time, and can safely say that these diagnoses are 

 unsupported by extended observation. Many theories have 

 been advanced to explain the etiology of volvulus. A case 

 published in the Veterinary Journal, January 1897, by Mr. 

 Locke, M.RC.V.S., Manchester, was likely induced by several 

 falls while a high-spirited horse was taxed beyond his strength 

 in trying to pull a heavy load out of a deep place. Eolling whilst 

 suffering from colic has been perhaps rightly blamed, and 

 aneurisms of the mesenteric artery, by causing anremia of a 

 portion of the bowel, has also been ascribed as a cause. 



The diagnosis is extremely difticult. There is continuous pain, 

 — mild perhaps at first when the large colon is twisted, severe 

 from the first when the small bowel is involved ; borborygma 

 is absent, and no feeces passed after the very earliest stage ; on 

 rectal examination there may be a difficulty, if the backward 

 pressure is great, in introducing the hand into the rectum. 



Jelkman states that there is no difficulty in diagnosing 

 volvulus per rectum, and even of effacing it by manipulating 

 through the bowel. Copious enemata of oil and warm water, 

 administered through a long tube, and the administration of 

 anodynes — morphia or chloral hydrate — with attempts to reduce 

 the volvulus by manipulation, by rolling the animal, and, as a 

 last resort, laparatomy might be performed. As a rule, how- 

 ever, the progress of the congestive change is so rapid that 

 there is little chance of saving life. Anaesthesia will render 

 reduction a much easier matter, as well as give the animal at 

 least temporary relief. 



