570 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK vi. 



or by errors of diet. It is produced by sudden change of food, from 

 dry to green, or from green to dry ; by the ingestion of coarse 

 innutritious provender ; by overfeeding, especially when the system 

 has been weakened by long fasting. Certain descriptions of food, as 

 new corn, potatoes, and vetches, may give rise to colic. Drinking cold 

 water when the blood is overheated is a most fruitful cause of the 

 disorder, as are also worms, and calculi or stones in the bowels. 

 The various salts of lead and other chemical compounds sometimes 

 induce it. 



Symptoms. The commencement of the disorder is usually sudden, 

 and the pain and suffering are paroxysmal, coming on, and, after a short 

 period of agony, disappearing, to return again after a brief interval, this 

 being repeated again and again during one, two, or many hours. The 

 affected animal throws himself down violently, rolls, groans, and 

 quickly rises. He will then walk round the box, looking occasionally 

 towards his flank ; he paws the ground, stamps his fore feet, or strikes 

 his belly with the hind feet. Sometimes he moves backwards and 

 presses the quarters against the side of the box. The bowels are 

 usually constipated, but looseness is sometimes present, particularly 

 where the attack is due to a green vegetable diet. A good deal of gas 

 is at times discharged from behind, which brings temporary relief. 

 While the pains are on, the pulse is increased in frequency, and the 

 breathing is quickened, but these disturbances pass away as the pain 

 subsides, only, however, to return with each recurring paroxysm. 



In flatulent colic the abdomen, or belly, is greatly enlarged, 

 and when tapped emits a drum-like sound. The pain is much less 

 severe than in the spasmodic variety, but constant. No intervals 

 of ease are observed such as characterise spasmodic colic, and the 

 patient has but little desire to lie down and roll as in the last-named 

 disorder. 



Treatment. In these cases an antispasmodic draught, consisting of 

 an ounce and a half of tincture of opium and an ounce of nitric ether, 

 should be promptly administered in a pint of cold water*. If in an hour 

 the pain has not disappeared, give four or five drachms of aloes, either 

 in a ball or dissolved in warm water, and repeat the spasmodic mixture 

 every two or three hours if necessary. Walking exercise, to prevent 

 rolling, should be enforced for the first hour, during which enemas may 

 occasionally be given with advantage. Mustard and friction to the 

 belly will be found useful as an adjunct. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS OR ENTERITIS. None of our adult 

 farm animals are so liable to inflammation of the bowels as the horse, 

 and in none is the disease so rapidly fatal. 



Causes. As to its origin, Professor Williams says the only recognisable 

 causes are " over fatigue, cold from exposure, or from washing with very 

 cold water whilst the animal is heated." To these, however, we would 

 add unrelieved impaction of the bowels, protracted colic, the ingestion of 

 rank succulent herbage, and arsenical and some other forms of poison- 

 ing. It may also result from the accidental twisting of the bowels, 



