126 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



This species of colic can generally be relieved as follows : 

 Take one ounce of hyposulphite of soda, dissolve the same in 

 a quart of water ; then add tincture of ginger and tincture of 

 goldenseal, of each, one ounce. Drench the animal with the 

 same. Clysters of soap suds, to which a little salt may be 

 added, should be thrown into the rectum occasionally. The 

 belly should be well rubbed with coarse straw, and in severe 

 cases, I should rub some mustard, moistened with vinegar, on 

 the lower part of the abdomen. After a lapse of two hours, 

 should the patient appear unrelieved, a second dose of the colic 

 drench may be given ; generally, however, one dose is suf- 

 ficient. 



SPASM OF THE BOWELS. 



Spasm of the bowels, generally termed spasmodic colic, is 

 occasioned by contraction of the longitudinal and circular fibres 

 of the muscular tunic of the intestines. In this disease, nearly 

 the same symptoms are observed as those alluded to in flatu- 

 lent colic, with the exception of flatulency. The patient, 

 however, is more irritable and dangerous to handle than in 

 flatulent colic, and he has periods of relaxation from pain 

 which return at intervals with increased violence. It is sup- 

 posed that this affection is caused by the presence of irritating 

 matters in the intestinal canal either'in the form of bad food, 

 poisonous plants, or water impregnated, with leiad. As the 

 muscles of the intestines belong to that class known as in- 

 voluntary, it follows that the state of spasm is the result of 

 some excitability or deranged condition of the nerves of invol- 

 untary motion ; hence antispasmodics are indicated. 



In view of relieving the spasm, I recommend the following : — 



Powdered Assafoetida, 1 drachm, 



Sulphuric Ether, 2 drachms. 



Thin Gruel, 1 pint. Mix. 



And drench, then administer occasionally an antispasmodic 

 clyster, composed of warm water and a small quantity of pow- 

 dered lobelia. 



Failing to relieve the animal by the above means, I should 



