40 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Mix in a bottle of ale or porter, and give in a drench out 

 of a horn, or stout bottle. The aconite will have to be 

 given every four hours, till the pain has given way. En- 

 courage the operation of the aloes by injections every 

 hour. 



(3.) Flatulent Colic. 



Symptoms. — Pain is considerable at first, which in a 

 few hours gives way to sleepiness, (see Coma.) This is 

 caused by distention of the bowels with gas, commonly 

 called wind, thereby paralyzing the par vagus and nerve 

 centres, and ultimately the brain itself. This variety of 

 colic is readily distinguished from the others by the swell- 

 ing of the belly, particularly at the flanks, called tympa- 

 nitis, or drum-belly. 



Causes, — Indigestion of food in the stomach; fermen- 

 tation is set up, and there is evolution (giving forth) of 

 carbonic acid gas. This gas is not liberated per rectum 

 from the body as speedily as generated. The horse and 

 cow cannot belch or eruct wind from their stomachs, as 

 man and the dog can ; hence the frequency of tympanitis 

 in horses and cows. 



Treatment. — Try injections first, as in many cases I 

 have cured this variety by this means alone. If gas or 

 wind come away with the injection, the case will soon end 

 well. When no benefit is derived from the injections, 

 give, in a little cold water, aloes in powder, one ounce; 

 sulphuric ether, one ounce; tincture of opium, two ounces. 

 If these measures fail in giving ease from pain, pour two 

 ounces of chloroform on a small moist sponge, and hold 

 it to the nostrils, not too closely, but admit a portion of 

 air with the fumes of the chloroform, (see Medicines.) 

 The sponge may be placed in a towel, and the ends car- 



