112 COLIC AND GEIPES. 



anguish ; a cold sweat will sometimes bedew the body. 

 A desire to lie down may be exhibited, and when on 

 the ground the animal rolls about in evident agony. 

 The upper lip is strained upwards from the teeth, al- 

 most closing the nostrils, and the pulse indicates de- 

 rangement of the system. 



When the true character of the ailment has been as- 

 certained, it is well to inquire as to the character of the 

 evacuations. If they are in a lax state, and a cause for 

 the same can be discovered, of course discontinue it, 

 and use astringent clysters for the bowels (page 148). 

 If there be reason to apprehend that some offending 

 matter is retained in the alimentary canal, use emollient 

 laxatives and clysters (pages 147 and 148). But if 

 anything like costiveness is present, and other remedies 

 fail, recourse must be had to that of " back-raking," a 

 process which need not be here explained, being well 

 known to every experienced groom, any one of whom 

 may safely be intrusted with the operation, the only 

 necessary precaution being to have rather a small hand 

 used, and that icell lubricated with lard or oil. Let all 

 the fsecal matter that can be reached be carefully ex- 

 tracted. Afterwards a warm enema, composed of one 

 2)int of turpentine mixed in two quarts of hot soap-suds, 

 and a soothing drench of 



1 oz. sulphuric ether, 

 1 oz. laudanum, 

 1 pint oil, 



will be found efficacious. 



In the early stages, "gripes," as they are called, may 

 be cured by simply " back-raking," followed by a drench 

 of a bottle of ale, warmed and mixed with one ounce 

 of powdered ginger, and a brisk trot in heavy clothing. 



