CALCULUS IN TIIE BOWELS. 91 



and soon devolves into inflammation. In either case, the remedies proper for 

 colic must be abandoned, and others more adapted to the change of circum- 

 stances be em|>loyed instead. 



Whenever the cause of inflammation of the bowels may fairly be ascrilv^d 

 to the quantity or quality of their contents — without adding thereto by any 

 extraordinary exertion, its approach will be very slow, and denoted by siujr- 

 gishness and the refusal of food at first. As they are mostly working cattTo 

 that are thus attacked, the evacuations are not sufficiently minded, or the at- 

 tendant neglects to niake mention how these have discontinued in a great de 

 gree, or changed their appearance — the dung being then hard and the urine 

 high coloured ; hereupon the pulse increases, and the outrageous symptoiiis 

 described in the second colunni of the table of symptoms go on to a frightful 

 degree, endangering the lives of bystanders. Even in this stage, the progress 

 of the disease may be arrested by prompt and vigorous measures, adapted to 

 the kind of animal that may be the subject of attack, and the circumstances 

 under which the present alarming symptoms may have been brought on. If 

 a heavy lumbering wagon-horse, that owes his" disease to alimentary indul- 

 gence, we shall find no higher operation necessary than emptying the over- 

 charged canal by force of arms, i. e. back-raking; but the high-coura<Ted staire- 

 coach horse, which falls under the exercise of the lash, and the influence ol'a 

 vertical sun, has seldom aught within him of that kind to part with, and re- 

 quires the introduction of some substance or liquid that shall cherish the 

 afflicted stomach and bowels, and alleviate the burning heat that, ascending tc 

 the head, causes his delirium. Presence of mind, however, or the adroitiiess 

 which much practice teaches, is frequen y wanting for the first mentioned 

 remedy ; and the means of applying the second is so seldom at hand, that the 

 animals are too often left to their fate and are lost. But I anticipate the reme- 

 dies. See also pages 62, 6S. 



Remedy. — From the rapid progress made by this disorder, when left to it- 

 self, and its usually disastrous termination, the duty of attending to the pulse 

 of his animals as before insisted upon (at page 62), will strike every intelligent 

 horse proprietor, as the very best means of guarding against the fatal conse- 

 quences of inflammatory attacks. He will by this means be apprised of the 

 earliest approach of the disease, and thus enable himself to meet it in its mild- 

 est form : he will compare this certain indication of hea! — whether fever of 

 the whole system, or inflammation of a particular part, with the state of the 

 patient's urine, which will then be high coloured, and the dunging defective. 

 The rectum will be dry, hard, and hot; the belly, on passing the hand over it 

 towards the sheath, will have the same feel ; the animal will shrink from the 

 touch, his eyes appear languid, or partly shut; as the disorder proceeds they 

 assume unusual redness, or what has been termed bloodshot. 



Up to this stage of the disorder, the first remedy will be clystering and bleed- 

 ing the animal freely, if he be not very aged or of spare habit, immediately 

 after giving the following 



Laxative Drench. 



Powdered aloes, 2 drachms, 

 Subcarbonate of potass, 2 drachma. 

 Water gruel, 1 pint, 

 Castor oil, half a pint. Mix. 



\f ctlay IS to be apprehended in procuring the above drench, give castor al, 

 one pint, or in default hereof, salad oil, two jjints, whilst the drench i» i>r»- 

 {>anng. 



