DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 189 



titles of gas. A slight improvement was soon perceptible, yet it 

 appeared tliat the fermentation was still going on, as the abdomen 

 did not decrease in volume; so I gave two ounces of hyposulphite 

 of soda, in view of arresting the generation of gas. This had the 

 desired eifect ; for, as the gas was liberated, the abdomen decreased 

 in size. It was not, however, until a lapse often lu)urs from the 

 attack that the ])atient obtained complete relief from his suffer- 

 ings. This case only diifers from meteorization in the sudden- 

 ness of the attack of the former. 



Persons who attem})t to treat cases of this character must exer- 

 cise due patience. The animal must sutler a certain length of 

 time, notAvithstanding the best-selected remedies are exhibited. 

 In other words, the reader is advised not to be in too much of a 

 hurry in getting the animal on its legs again. Take good care 

 of him; give him plenty of bedding to rest or roll on; in short, 

 Qur«5e him as if he were a child, and, above all, do not give hiia 

 too much medicine. 



Fl> ruLENT Colic. 



This is a disease of very frequent occurrence among horses. It 

 is known by a distension of the intestines and abdomen, with 

 flatus or gas. In the early stage, no jierceptible abdominal dis- 

 tension occurs, yet it very soon manifests itself. One way of sat- 

 isfying onrselvcs of the presence of flatus is, to apply the ear to 

 the abdominal region, within which a sort of active rumbling is 

 heard, often accompanied by a tinkling or metallic sound. But 

 while making our examination, we may, perhaps, i)erceive that 

 the horse passes flatus by the anus, or eructates it from the stom- 

 ach by the mouth. In either case, our doubts, if we have any, 

 are set at rest. This feature of flatulency, accom))anied by others 

 which will be alluded to, com})lete the chain of evidence. 



In some cases the gas accumulates in the large intestines until 

 the abdomen resembles, in size, that of an ox when'Mioven." It 

 ie verv distressing to witness the sufferings of an animal in this 

 condition ; and when the intestines are so enormously distended 

 as to threaten rupture, the only chance of relief is to send a trocar 

 and canula through the walls of the abdomen, into some portion 

 of the distended intestine, and thus liberate the gas. 



Symj/fomft.- ~U may be well to bear in mind that flatulent colic 



