42 



called flatulent colic, or tympanites (from tympanum, a 

 drum). They are easily diagnosed if the history and 

 symptoms of the patient are attentively watched. A 

 variety of causes will induce this disease : fast driving, 

 drinking cold water after severe exercise, change of food 

 from dry musty oats to new grass, constipation, a fatiguing 

 journey, and at other times when no sufficient cause can be 

 assigned. The muscular coat of the small intestines is 

 commonly the seat of the disease, they become powerfully 

 contracted, and spasm or gripes is the result ; the contrac- 

 tion of the tissues forces the blood into parts vv^here no 

 disease exists. The large intestines are also the seat of 

 disease in other instances ; but whatever be the cause, it is 

 a most painful and dangerous affection, and, unless timely 

 and proper treatment be applied, will speedily prove fatal. 

 Horses that are overworked and badly managed are always 

 good subjects for colic, and especially old and debilitated 

 ones.- Inability to vomit nauseating food, and offending 

 matter, like the dog, renders the solipede more subject to 

 this disease than cattle or dogs. The great and sudden 

 changes in the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere 

 at different seasons of the year makes this disease more 

 common in the States than in Europe. Every farmer, 

 horseman and stable keeper should know how to manage a 

 case of this kind, in the absence of a qualified surgeon. 



Symptoms. — The attack is mostly sudden — while "the 

 animal is feeding, standing in the street, or driving — it may 

 occur at any time or place. First stage, general uneasiness, 

 the nose turned to the flank, the forefoot pawing the ground, 

 the hind foot raised towards the belly, the breathing is hur- 

 ried during each spasm, the pulse rises from 70 to 80 beats 

 per minute. During the next stage these symptoms are 

 more violent ; at times the animal seems to get relief for an 

 instant, but the spasms come on again with renewed vio- 

 lence ; the poor beast is in the greatest agony. All self- 

 control is now lost; he leaps up and dashes himself against 



