APPENDIX 245 



syringe may do that. If possible, the cause of the pain 

 should be the first consideration.' If the veterinarian 

 persists in the administration of analgesics in equine 

 colic, he cannot expect his powers of diagnosis to 

 advance. There is yet so much to learn concerning 

 these troublesome disorders that we absolutely cannot 

 afford to throw away our chances of acquiring further 

 knowledge. And yet that is what we do when we 

 administer an anodyne. In these cases the only evidence 

 we may read is that derived from the symptoms the 

 animal will show. Hide these by a dose of morphia and 

 we are face to face with a closed book. If I may carry 

 the metaphor still farther, its pages are often closed 

 beyond our power to reopen. 



To those who still remain unconvinced I have, in 

 favour of the general correctness of my conclusions, one 

 last proof to offer, and it is one that might well be 

 termed a 'facer.' It is this. For the last seven years I 

 have altogether abandoned sedatives in the treatment of 

 colic, with the best results. Instead, I have relied on 

 large doses of ammonium carbonate and nux vomica, 

 aided by what other stimulant the cases appeared to 

 demand. The details of that treatment I need not enter 

 into here. During the whole of those seven years I have 

 seen no cause to regret the change. My cases are not so 

 long about, are easier diagnosed, and do not cause the 

 same amount of anxiety, while my list of fatalities has 

 decreased to an eminently gratifying extent. If it is any 

 inducement, I can promise the same happy state of affairs 

 to those who may follow the same road. 



Though these by no means exhaust the arguments that 

 might be advanced against the extensive employment of 

 sedatives in the equine colics, the time at my disposal 

 does not permit of their further mention. I think, how- 



