Colic and Azaturea 261 



and carry off the auto-intoxication. Keeping him perfectly quiet 

 Avith as little movement of the aifected muscles as possible will 

 do more towards recovery than all the medical treatments we can 

 render the animals. If the patient is down and unable to rise, he 

 should be drawn to a near-by barn on a stone boat and made as 

 comfortable as possible by being placed in a box stall, or on the 

 open bam floor. In cases where the horse is down, or stands with 

 difficulty, the services of a skilled veterinarian are needed as soon 

 ?fs possible, as the bladder usually needs to be emptied. The urine 

 has a thick, coffee-like color from whence the disease gets its name, 

 black water. 



Until the arrival of the veterinarian the patient's suffering can 

 be greatly relieved by applying some form of heat over the rigid 

 muscles of the loins, croup, and thighs. Put a bushel of salt in 

 pans and heat it in the oven ; put it in sacks, and apply to the 

 affected muscles. If hot water is used, care should bo taken to 

 see that the parts are well dried by rubbing with straw or clothes 

 and then covered with, blankets. A pail of hot water to which 

 a cupful of salt is added is very effective. 



It is very esential that we keep the patient quiet. If he gets 

 uneasy and commences to toss his head up and down and tries to 

 keep changing his position, he will soou end in a speedy death. A 

 tablespoonful of potassium bromide given in a pint of water, and 

 about half that amount repeated every hour or two until the 

 patient isi quiet and assumes a sleepy titttiude, is very effective 

 treatment. Fluid extract of canabis indica can be given in the 

 same way and in the same sized doses as the potassium bromide. 

 Drinking water given every hour in reasonable amounts is recom- 

 mended. Laudanum, though it would quiet the animal, is too 

 constipating to be used. Bleeding, if it can be done at the onset, 

 is one of the quickest ways to relieve the system of the over-rich 

 blood. The rectum should be emptied by hot water injections. 

 A good dose of physic and some medicine to stimulate the kidneys 

 is usually recommended, but their use should be left to the judg- 

 ment of the veterinarian. 



Prevention 



Since one attack of this trouble predisposes to others, it is essen- 

 tial that we avoid those things that favor its onset. Regular work 

 every day is the surest way to prevent it. Though the system may 



