Colic and Azaturea 257 



A good dose of physic to expel the contents should be given 

 early. Veterinarians often give one ounce of aloes if there is no 

 tendency of inflammation of the bowels. One quart of raw lin- 

 seed oil is about the safest physic a farmer can give a horse. 

 Large doses of physic often cause abortion in brood mares, so 

 always tell the veterinarian if the mare is pregnant. 



Some horses are very subject to impaction, and in such cases 

 the diet of coarse fodder should be restricted and a more laxa- 

 tive one provided, such as an occasional bran mash, a daily feed 

 of roots, a 'pound of linseed meal added to the other grain ration, 

 or a pint or more of stock molasses added to the grain once a day. 

 It is very important that we prevent the brood mare from being 

 constipated by giving a laxative diet, since the dose of physic 

 given for impaction colic is liable to result in either abortion or 

 death. 



Spasmodic or Cramp Colic 



This is not so common nor so dangerous as the other two forms. 

 The nervous, high-bred road and saddle horses are more subject 

 to this condition than the quiet, docile drafter. 



Though we have enumerated most of the causes of colic under 

 our general heading, yet with this form we must lay special 

 emphasis on the action of cold substances in the horse's stomach. 

 This is especially true if the horse is very warm or very tired. 

 Therefore never give a horse a large amount of very cold water 

 when he is heated or very tired. Water that has stood in the 

 sun and thus has been rendered a few degrees warmer is much 

 safer, since spasmodic colic is frequently seen immediately after 

 drinking. 



Symptoms. Spasmodic colic is very sudden in its onset. The 

 horse stops eating, begins to crouch, kick at his belly, and turn his 

 head toward the side. The pain is usually more or less intermit- 

 tent. It may be intense for a few minutes and then suddenly 

 cease and the horse appear normal. Soon another spasm occurs, 

 however, and the horse is in greater agony than before. The ear 

 applied to the side of the bowels usually detectsi an increased 

 rumble, while in the other forms of colic, the rumble is usually 

 decreased. The pulse is strong and breathing is natural. 



Treatment. Anything to relieve the spasm is indicated. • A 

 hypodermic injection of two or three grains of morpine sulphate 



