82 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



Acute Subjective and Objective Symptoms in Sub- 

 acute Colic. — It will appear odd, I confess, to talk of 

 the occurrence of acute symptoms in subacute colic, 

 and yet we must be prepared to admit that the frequent 

 and rapid recovery of animals showing acute symptoms 

 sufficiently negatives the idea of their ailment being of 

 such an acute variety as twist, etc. Without attempting 

 to argue that spontaneous recovery from twist, or other 

 serious condition, is impossible, we may, with every 

 regard for logic, allow that symptoms of an acute nature 

 may be observed in subacute colic. The pain becomes 

 much more violent. The animal walks round and round 

 his box. The ears and extremities grow deathly cold. 

 Cold, patchy perspirations bedew the underneath surface 

 of the abdomen, and break out between the forearms and 

 thighs, while the expression becomes anxious to an 

 alarming degree. Tympany becomes much more notice- 

 able ; the animal reels in his walk, and casts himself 

 down with such violence as to almost resemble a fall. 

 The pulse is increased in frequency, and is not so full to 

 the hngers. The visible mucous membranes become 

 injected, and appear of a deep red hue. Frequently, too, 

 in this special form of colic, the membranes are tinged 

 with yellow, reminding one of the early stages of jaundice. 



Such are the usual symptoms of intestinal impaction, 

 and their average duration may be anything from twelve 

 or fifteeen to twenty-four hours. The longest period that 

 I myself remember an animal suffering, and ultimately 

 recovering, is eight days. In fatal cases forty-eight to 

 thirty-six hours usually sees the end. 



DiagTlOSis. — I am fully persuaded that this is the 

 most easily diagnosed of all our cases of colic, and con- 

 cerning it a mistake ought seldom or never to be made. 

 Such a thing, however, as a diagnostic symptom is not 



