SUBACUTE OBSTRUCTION OF THE DOUBLE COLON 83 



to be looked for. It is only by a complete and orderly 

 analysis of the whole of the history, and by a proper 

 weighing up of all the signs, that a correct diagnosis can 

 be arrived at. Nevertheless, upon one fact I wish to 

 place the greatest possible emphasis. The value of 

 taking the indications of the pulse, temperature, and 

 respirations collectively, in order to avoid error in prog- 

 nosis, cannot be overestimated. I never look upon 

 a case as approaching dangerous unless I get a full 

 warning from all three. A reference to Case No. 7, at 

 the end of this chapter, will explain what I mean. Here 

 was an animal which had been rolling in violent pain 

 before my arrival, but was now standing perfectly quiet. 

 An alarming state of the pulse was evident, hammering 

 away at the rate of 108 to the minute. The temperature, 

 however, w^as only 101° F., and the number of respira- 

 tions 12. The animal recovered. 



Take, again. Case No. 6. The respirations here were a 

 continual sob of 32 to the minute, and the horse was in a 

 bath of perspiration for over an hour. The pulse was only 

 48, and the temperature 101-4° ^' ^^^ animal recovered. 

 Or take Case No. 3. The temperature, 96*6° F. (which 

 may be taken as subnormal in shire horses), was counter- 

 balanced by the pulse (48) and the respirations (13). 

 This animal also, after a lengthy illness, recovered. 



Here I will take the opportunity of stating that I 

 believe it to be absolutely impossible to diagnose 

 * straight away ' even this, the most easily diagnosed and 

 best understood of all our cases of colic. No committing 

 statement ought to be made, and no large amount of 

 drugs exhibited, until the case has been closely watched 

 for some time. For example, witness Case No. 13. 

 Judging from my foregoing remarks, the irregularity of 

 the respirations and temperature in this case should 



6—2 



