144 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



about the diameter of a large cocoanut (see Fig. 4). 

 Should the obstruction be in the large colon, its relatively 

 larger size at once denotes that fact. When felt through 

 the rectum, it gives to the hand the impression of a huge 

 foetus forced close to the pelvic outlet. Unless soon 

 relieved, cases of this description quickly put the im- 

 plicated portion of bowel into a state of obstinate 

 paralysis. 



That being so, if the usual stimulative treatment fails 

 to give early good results, intestinal irrigation should be 

 at once commenced. Only one or two trials will con- 

 vince the operator of the great value of the treatment. 



The only apparatus really necessary is several yards 

 of ordinary rubber garden-hose of about ^ to J inch 

 in diameter, fixed to a forced water-supply. My own 

 method of procedure, however, I will leave for the time. 

 So far as I am able to trace, \'eterinary-Lieutenant- 

 Colonel Smith was the originator of this treatment, and 

 that behoves me to give his case prior place. It is 

 reported in the Proceedings of the Fifth General Meeting 

 of the National \^eterinary Association, and runs as 

 follows : 



' F. 54, 12th Royal Lancers, a grey gelding, five years 

 old, was admitted at 4 p.m. on April 26, suffering acute 

 abdominal pain. He threw himself down with great 

 force twice before means could be taken to prevent it, 

 and to avoid a rupture of the stomach or intestines I 

 placed him in slings, or, rather, attempted to, for he no 

 sooner felt the sling under him than he lay like a log in 

 it. He was lowered carefully to the ground, and quickly 

 hobbled, and a great source of anxiety was at once 

 removed. Before I saw him he had passed a quantity 

 of loose faeces, and the usual medicine had been ad- 

 ministered, but he was getting worse. The pulse was 

 quick and small, respiration greatly increased, con- 

 junctiva injected. Examination per rectum revealed 



