206 THE HORSE. 



quently on his back. In a few minutes the pain seems to cease, the horse 

 shakes himself, and begins to feed ; but, on a sudden, the spasm returns 

 more violently, every indication of pain is increased, he heaves at the flanks, 

 breaks out into a profuse perspiration, and throws himself more violently 

 about. In the space of an hour or two, either the spasms begin to relax, and 

 the remissions are of longer duration, or the torture is augmented at every 

 paroxysm, the intervals of ease are fewer and less marked, and inflamma- 

 tion and death supervene. 



Of the symptoms by which it may best be distinguished from inflamma- 

 tion of the bowels, we shall speak when we treat of that disease. Among 

 the causes of colic are, the drinking of cold water when the horse is heated. 

 There is not a surer cause of violent spasm than this. Colic will some- 

 times follow the exposure of a horse to the cold air, or a cold wind after 

 violent exercise. Green meat, although, generally speaking, most beneficial 

 to the horse, yet given in too large a quantity, or when the horse is hot, 

 will frequently produce gripes. In some horses there seems to be a con- 

 stitutional predisposition to colic. They cannot be hardly worked, or ex- 

 posed to unusual cold, w^ithout a fit of it. In many cases, when these 

 horses have died, stones have been found in some part of the alimentary 

 canal. 



Fortunately, we are acquainted with several medicines that allay these 

 spasms ; and the disease often ceases almost as suddenly as it ap-^ 

 peared. Turpentine is one of the most powerful remedies, especially if 

 given in union with opium. Three ounces of spirit or oil of turpentine, 

 with an ounce of laudanum, given in a pint of warm ale, will frequently 

 have an almost instantaneous effect. The account which we have just 

 o-iven of the coecum wifl not be forgotten. Even a small quantity of fluid 

 will seldom be detained in the stomach, but will pass through the ileum to 

 the coecum or water-stomach, and in this passage will come in immediate 

 contact with the spasmed part. 



If relief be not obtained in half an hour it will be prudent to bleed, be- 

 cause the continuance of violent spasm will produce inflammation. Some 

 practitioners bleed at first, and it is far from bad practice ; for although 

 the majority of cases will yield to turpenthie, opium, and aloes, an early 

 bleeding may occasionally prevent the occurrence of inflammation, or at 

 least mitigate it. If it be clearly a case of cohc, half of the first dose may 

 be repeated, with a full ounce of Barbadoes aloes dissolved in warm water. 

 The stimulus produced on the inner surface of the bowels by the purgative 

 may counteract the irritation which caused the spasm. The belly should be 

 well rubbed with a brush or warmed cloth, but not bruised and injured by 

 the broom-handle rubbed over the belly by two great fellows with all their 

 strength. The horse should be walked about, or trotted moderately. The 

 motion thus produced in the bowels, and the friction of one intestine 

 over the other, may relax the spasm, but the hasty gallop may speedily 

 cause inflammation to succeed to colic. Clysters of warm water, or con- 

 taining a solution of aloes, will be injected. The patent syringe will here 

 be most useful. 



When relief has been obtained, the clothing of the horse, saturated with 

 perspiration, should be removed, and fresh, dry clothing substituted. 

 He should be well littered down in a warm stable or box, and have bran 

 mashes for the two or three next days, and drink only lukewarm water. 



Some persons give gin, and even gin and pepper, in cases of gripes. 

 This, however, is a practice to which we strongly object ; it may be useful, 

 or even sufficient, in ordinary cases of colic, but if there be any inflamma- 

 tion or tendency to inflammation, it cannot fail to be highly injurious. 



