48 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



repeated doses, taking care to keep it well diluted. 

 The administration of these two drugs will be best 

 followed by the exhibition of an oleaginous purgative. 

 It will act beneficially in two ways, serving both to 

 empty the overladen bowels and to counteract any 

 irritant or corrosive effects of the salt or acid. The 

 lethargy of the nervous system should, at the same time, 

 be overcome by the judicious use of nux vomica, in 

 this case preferably given in the form of the tincture, 

 owing to the likelihood of its becoming more rapidly 

 absorbed. 



Another and perhaps more suitable line of treatment 

 is the administration of an aloetic purgative, together 

 with the use of the alkaline stimulants (ammonia com- 

 pounds), which, while acting as cerebro-spinal stimulants 

 and urging the circulatory and secretory organs into 

 activity, also prevent the formation of gases. 



In all cases, no matter what the medicinal agent em- 

 ployed, the animal should be well rugged down, in order 

 to promote warmth and the action of the remedies 

 adopted. At the same time, he should be kept slowly 

 walking to overcome the lethargy and tendency to som- 

 nolence. The use of copious warm and stimulating 

 enemata is beneficial, and should always be persisted in. 



