154 SPASMODIC COLIC. 



resulting from acrid poisons, particularly of lead ; or from consti- 

 pation ; or from bilious inflammation, invariably present appear- 

 ances of some spasmodic action on the canal. There is also the 

 spasmodic colic of rheumatism (p. 142), which is of so peculiar a 

 nature as hardly to allow us to conclude whether it be a cause or 

 an effect, by the circumstance that no relief from the rheumatic or 

 spasmodic symptoms, which affect the head, neck, or limbs, can be 

 obtained, until the bowels are relieved of their contents. 



The true spasmodic colic in dogs is violent in its symptoms, 

 obstinate in character, and very often fatal in termination. I was 

 apt formerly to attribute these cases to the presence of worms, 

 and I am still inclined to think that these animals, particularly the 

 tape worm, will now and then occasion similar symptoms ; but the 

 generality of cases may be considered as arising from an irritation 

 sui generis. Certain appearances also might beget a suspicion, 

 that the head, in these instances, was the sole seat of the com- 

 plaint : but however the head may be connected with the disease, 

 the nervous affection is spent on the intestinal tissues ; and the 

 bowels are the ostensible seat of the morbid attack", which is 



' If reference be made to the article Distemper, and if the physiological 

 hints there thrown out on the connexions between the brain, as the seat of 

 sensorial and motive power, be looked over, it will be an introduction to what 

 is to follow : which I would premise by observing, that although in a work at 

 first intended as a popular vade mecum on a new branch of the ars medendi, 

 I was somewhat obliged to fix the description of a disease where we could best 

 identify it by its consequences ; yet it does not follow, that as we proceed we 

 may not be allowed to enlarge our sphere of reasoning, and direct our inquiries 

 rather beyond the plain matter of fact. Under this view, with our extended 

 knowledge of the phenomena of nervous distribution, and the intimate con- 

 nexion of all diseases of increased action (and spasm may be but a morbid 

 modification of such action) with the brain, as so admirably entered into by Dr. 

 Clutterbuck, are we warranted in indulging in a suspicion that this particular 

 variety of colic, and that also described with rheumatism, as a rheumatic 

 spasm of the neck and bowels, may be rather symptoms of idiopathic affection 

 of the brain than of the parts we detect the consequences in ? In the affection 

 imder our immediate consideration, the symptoms give strong indication of a 

 direct attack on the scnsorium itself; but in pursuing the disease, either as to 



