INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 207 



CALCULI, OR STONES IN THE INTESTINES. 



We have mentioned these as a cause of colic in horses that are subject to 

 frequent attacks of it. Some indigestible substance lodges in the coecum 

 or colon : earthy, or half-digested vegetable matter gradually accumu- 

 lates around this, and a ball, weighing many pounds, is sometimes 

 formed. This will produce colic, or obstruct the passage of the gut, or, by 

 its pressure, produce inflammation ; but as there are few or no symptoms 

 by which the presence of these stones is clearly indicated, and few, or 

 rather, no certain means, by which they may be removed, we will pass on 

 to an occasional consequence of colic. 



INTUSUSCEPTION OF THE INTESTINES. 



The spasmodic action of the ileum long continued, may be succeeded by an 

 inverted action from the coecum towards the stomach, more powerful than 

 the natural action ; and the contracted portion of the intestine is thus forced 

 into a portion above it that retains its natural calibre ; and the irritation 

 caused by this increases the action, until more is forced in, and an obstruc- 

 tion is formed which no power can overcome. Even the natural motion of 

 the bowels will be sufficient to produce intususception, when the contrac- 

 tion of a portion of the ileum is very great. There are no symptoms to 

 indicate the presence of this, except continued and increasing pain ; or 

 if there were, all our means of reUef would here fail. 



ENTANGLEMENT OF THE BOWELS. 



This is another and more singular consequence of colic. Although the 

 ileum is enveloped in the mesentery, and its motion to a considerable 

 degree confined, yet under the spasm of colic, and during the violence with 

 which the animal rolls and throws himself about, portions of the ileum 

 become so entangled as to be twisted into nooses and knots, drawn toge- 

 ther with a degree of tightness scarcely credible. Nothing but the extreme 

 and lengthened torture of the animal can lead us to suspect that this has 

 taken place, and, could we ascertain its existence, there would be no 

 cure. 



• INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 



There are two varieties of this malady. The first is inflammation of the 

 external coats of the intestines, accompanied by considerable fever and cos- 

 tiveness. The second is that of the internal or mucous coat, usually the 

 consequence of an over-dose of physic, and accompanied by violent purg- 

 ing. We will here speak of the first of these affections. It has been 

 divided into inflammation of the peritoneal coat, and that of the muscular: 

 but the causes, symptoms, and treatment of both are so much alike, that it 

 would be raising unnecessary difficulties to endeavour to distinguish 

 between them. Inflammation of the external coats of the stomach, whether 

 the peritoneal or muscular, or both, is a very frequent and fatal disease. 

 It speedily runs its course, and it is of great consequence that its early 

 symptoms should be known. If the horse has been carefully observed, 

 restlessness and fever will have been seen to precede the attack ; in many 

 cases a direct shivering fit will be observed ; the mouth will be hot, and the 

 nose red. The horse will soon express the most dreadful pain by pawing, 

 striking at his belly, looking wildly at his flanks, groaning and rolling. 



