198 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



shivering. Even this, however, appears to quickly pass 

 off, and leaves no after ill-effects. In addition to its 

 property of staying fermentation, the carbolic acid acts 

 somewhat as a local anaesthetic, and, without exerting a 

 general sedative action, serves to allay pain in that 

 portion of bowel with which it comes in contact. 



Professor O. C. Bradley, while in charge of the New 

 Veterinary College Infirmary, reports three cases in 

 which this treatment was adopted. Two of these I give 

 below : 



1. '2 p.m. — Bay cart gelding admitted. Colicky 

 symptoms, much tympany. Punctured, and injected 

 4 drachms of carbolic acid in i pint of water. 



' 2 pjn. — Much better. No recurrence of tympany, 

 pulse 65. 



'^p.vi. — Still improving, colicky symptoms have dis- 

 appeared, pulse and respiration normal ; continued 

 improving.' 



2. ' 6 a.m. — Black cart mare admitted. Great pain, 

 very tympanitic; pulse weak, respiration much ac- 

 celerated. Punctured, and injected 2 drachms of carbolic 

 acid in solution. Morphine hypodermically. 



' 6.30 a.m. — Easier. Pulse 70. 



' 8 a.m. — Again tympanitic and very restless. Punctured 

 again, and injected 3 drachms of carbolic acid in i pint 

 of water. 



< 9 a.m. — Better. Pulse 60 and stronger, respirations 

 slower. Has stopped walking about.' 



The removal of the cause is clearly to be brought 

 about by the administration of a purgative. The fer- 

 mentation has evidently been occasioned by the ingestion 

 of unsuitable, mouldy, or imperfectly masticated food. 

 The sooner this gains exit from the body the better for 

 our patient. Personally, I am not always disposed to 

 wait for the action of an ordinary cathartic. Having dis- 

 posed of the gases already present, and ascertained that 



