INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES. 327 



more frequently located in the latter than in the former. 

 Observations on a great number of cases will also show 

 that the villous coat is not unfrequently a participator in 

 the affection : in fact, the abdominal inflammations in the 

 horse, as well as the thoracic, seldom exhibit exact lines of 

 demarcation ; but are very liable to stray by continuity, 

 and even by contiguity ; hence we have some characteristic 

 symptoms or signs ; many more which are mixed and in- 

 definite ; and some altogether irregular in all acute visceral 

 affections. There are, however, sufficient grounds for a 

 general division of the inflammations of the bowels into 

 enteritis, or that which principally affects their middle coat, 

 and is generally accompanied by costiveness ; and that 

 which primarily attacks their villous surface, and is pro- 

 ductive of diarrhoea or dysentery. Between these states 

 there is a sufficient mark ; but between inflammation and 

 spasmodic colic the distinctive lines are familiar only to the 

 experienced observer. When the gripes, or fret, as spas- 

 modic colic is called among farriers, attacks a horse, it is 

 usual and useful to give him powerful stimulants, active 

 motion, and strong friction, all which would be extremely 

 baneful in the red colic. A careful distinction should 

 therefore be made between the two diseases, which may be 

 readily done by attending to the characteristic marks of 

 each, as particularly detailed in spasmodic colic. 



The causes are various : the application of cold is cer- 

 tainly among the number ; as washing when hot, or plung- 

 ing into a river ; the drinking of cold water has likewise 

 produced it, though more frequently this occasions spas- 

 modic colic. Neglected costiveness, or retention of im- 

 pacted faeces ; improper feeding, dry food, and little water, are 

 also causes : worms likewise may, now and then, bring it 

 on ; or it may be produced by neglect after clipping for the 

 winter season ; or by metastasis, or the translation of the 

 inflammatory state of one set of parts to another. Spas- 

 modic colic neglected or improperly treated is not an 

 unfrequent cause, and calcareous concretions always occasion 

 it before they produce death. 



The Sijmptoms. — It is known sometimes to commence by 

 a shivering fit, to which succeeds heat of skin, restlessness, 

 loss of appetite ; the mouth being particularly hot, and dry ; 



