THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS 177 



of instances proves fatal, when arising from the last- 

 named causes. There is a very common round worm of 

 the horse known as ascaris megalocephala, which infests 

 the horse, and if there are only a few of these they 

 do no harm, but if very numerous they are capable of, 

 and occasionally do, set up acute inflammation of the 

 bowels. The favourite habitat of these worms is at the 

 commencement of the small intestine. The author has 

 found most severe inflam.mation from this cause, the in- 

 testine being completely blocked to the extent of several 

 feet. 



Having enumerated the causes it only remains for the 

 writer to state that whilst simple cases of colic may be 

 dealt with b}^ the owner it will usually be found far more 

 satisfactory to have professional advice, as every case of 

 colic presents an individuality, and treatment must be 

 based upon this feature. An effort to try to ascertain 

 the cause is extremely necessary and should always be 

 taken into consideration, but failing this, the owner can 

 give a pint of linseed oil, to which 2 oz. of turpentine and 

 2 oz. of sweet spirits of nitre have been added. This is a 

 very safe and often very efficacious draught, and it can be 

 given pending the arrival of professional skill. Very 

 often colic is accompanied by a flatulent condition. If 

 so, the draught referred to is most suitable. In cases wherq.. 

 there is no veterinary advice obtainable, the draught 

 can be repeated at intervals of three hours, until three or 

 four doses have been given. It is customary for many 

 horse owners to walk their horses about when they have 

 belly-ache, but there is no need for this if the animal can 

 be put in a loose box. It is always advisable to take all 

 food away for the time being and for the next two or 

 three days to feed the animal — unless contrarily indicated 

 — on bran and scalded oats, with a gradual return to hay. 

 Never overlook the possibility of the forage being the 

 cause of the trouble. 



