196 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



usual remedies, but failed to give her relief; indeed, she 

 got rapidly worse, and became so distressed and helpless 

 that I was afraid she would fall. I therefore determined 

 on puncturing the intestine. The accumulated gas 

 rapidly escaped, and the abdomen quickly subsided. 

 The relief afforded in a few minutes was most satis- 

 factory. All symptoms of pain immediately ceased. In 

 the course of two hours the pulse became distinct, and 

 the mare commenced to feed.' 



The usual course in the development of the abscess 

 following this operation is well described by the late 

 Captain Russell, of Grantham. ^ He says : 



* On November 20 my attention was directed to 

 the post horse at the George Hotel, upon which I 

 had operated for tympany on October 26, as he had 

 lately appeared stiff in his movements and out of 

 sorts. On my seeing him and removing his clothing, I 

 perceived a large swelling upon his flank, about where 

 the first puncture of the trocar had been made. On 

 examining this swelling, I fancied I could feel deep- 

 seated fluctuation, and feeUng sure I had an abscess to 

 deal with, I ordered it to be well fomented for a day or 

 two to endeavour to get it to point externally. On 

 the 23rd, however, finding it made no progress externally, 

 I examined it with an exploring needle, when at a depth 

 of 2 inches I came upon pus. Having made a good 

 opening, about a quart of creamy pus escaped. The 

 case has gone on well, and the animal was discharged 

 to-day, December 6, convalescent' 



Having removed the gases present in the bowel, we 

 have two other matters to consider : Firstly, the preven- 

 tion of the further evolution of gases; secondly, the 

 removal of the cause. 



The first of these is to be brought about by introducing 

 into the bowel some form of antiseptic, or rather anti- 



^ Veterinary Journulf vol. viii., p. 4. 



