168 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



In the course of half an hour to an hour, if relief be not ob- 

 tained, it will be desirable to repeat the medicine ; and again in 

 the course of one or two hours afterwards, should the symptoms 

 continue or return ; and unless the bowels are relaxed it will be 

 desirable to administer aperient medicine with the second or 

 third antispasmodic draught. Three ounces of Barbadoes aloes 

 powdered may be dissolved in hot water, and given with a pint 

 of linseed oil ; adding to or subtracting from this dose, according 

 to the streniith and condition of the animal. If relief be not 

 obtained after the third dose, the case becomes very dangerous, 

 and Ave must be cautious as to the further administration of 

 stimulants. The pulse must be watched, and the bleeding re- 

 peated ; and with regard to medicine, it will be better to trust 

 to opium alone, a drachm of which may be infused in water, and 

 given every two houi's. By pursuing this plan of treatment we 

 may often accomplish a cure in the most dangerous and pro- 

 tracted cases. I met with a case some time since, in which I 

 found it necessary to administer three doses of the stimulating 

 antispasmodic liefore advised, to bleed largely twice, to give re- 

 peated injections, to foment the abdomen, and afterwards to ad- 

 minister the above dose of opium every two hours. By wdiich 

 persevering, yet cautious method, the symptoms were eventually 

 removed, and the horse recovered. 



Unless the horse recover from the first dose, injections of 

 warm water and salt should be frequently and copiously ad- 

 ministered ; and if inflammation be threatened, the abdomen 

 should be fomented and stimulated, and indeed the same means 

 used as for inflammation of the bowels. 



When a horse is attacked with the colic, many persons obsti- 

 nately prevent him from lying down, under an idea that rolling 

 about is likely to cause a twisting of the intestines. This, how- 

 ever, is not the fact, and it is contrary to nature, and therefore 

 injurious, to prevent a horse from lying down ; for he thereby 

 obtains some relief, and of course selects the position easiest to 

 himself. 



In the third species of colic, viz. that arising from obstruction 

 of the fuod, the treatment must be difl'erent from that before 

 recommended. Instead of giving very powerful stimulants at 

 first, we should administer a purgative, with a moderate anti- 

 spasmodic. Six drachms of Barbadoes aloes in a watery in- 

 fusion, with an ounce of tincture of 0])ium and foiir drachms of 

 ginger, should be given at once. The horse should be bled, and 

 in about two hours afterwards from half an ounce to an ounce 

 of tincture of opium and one drachm of ginger should be given, 

 with a half pint of linseed oil, which may be repeated every 

 two or three hours, until the bowels are relaxed or the pain is 

 removed. Copiuus injections should be administered every two 



