SPASMODIC COLIC. 26i 



SPASMODIC COLIC. 



This disease, called by farriers gripes, cramp, fret, &;c., is a 

 cramp or spasm of the muscular structure of the intestines, most 

 generally of the small ones. The most common causes are the 

 apitlication of cold water to the surface of the body, drinking 

 cold water when in a heated condition, costiveness, stones in 

 the intestines, hair ball, strictures of the intestines, unwholesome 

 food, &c. 



The premonitory symptoms are sudden in their nature. The 

 animal is first observed pawing violently, showing evident symp- 

 toms of great distress, shifting his position almost constantly, 

 and manifesting a desire to lie down. In a few minutes these 

 symptoms disappear, and the animal is again easy. But the 

 same uneasiness again returns, increasing in severity until the 

 animal cannot be kept upon his feet; the pulse is full, but 

 scarcely altered from the normal standard. As the disease ad- 

 vances, the symptoms become more severe, the animal at times 

 throwing himself with great force upon the ground as though 

 he were shot, looking anxiously at his sides, sometimes snap- 

 ping at them with his teeth, and striking his belly with his hind 

 feet. The symptoms vary but little from those of inflammation 

 of the bowels, the condition of the pulse and the remission of 

 pain being the distinguishing features. The extremities are of 

 a natural temperature ; there are frequent but ineffectual efforts 

 to stale, and a cold sweat bedews the body. 



In this disease it is necessary to back-rake, and throw up the 

 fundament injections of castile soap and water. Give internally 

 two ounces of nitrous ether, one ounce of tincture of opium, and 

 half a pint of water mixed, which may be repeated in twenty 



