41 



the abdomen may be rubbed with stimulating liniments or mustard- 

 Avater. The diificulty, however, of api^ljing hot blankets and keeping 

 them in place forces us in most instances to dispense with them. If 

 the crami:> is due to irritants in the bowels a cure is not complete until 

 we have given a cathartic of 1 ounce of aloes or 1 pint of linseed-oil. 

 Injections into the rectum of warm, soapy water, or salt and water, aid 

 the cure. 



One word here about injections, or enemas, as they are called. These, 

 as a rule, should be lukewarm and from 3 to G quarts are to be given 

 at a time. They may be repeated every half hour if necessary. Great 

 care is to be taken not to injure the rectum in giving rectal injections. 

 A large syringe is the best means by which to give them. If tins is 

 not to be had, take a large elder, from which the pith has been 

 removed, or a piece of hose. A large hog's bladder is to be filled with 

 the fluid to be injected and tied about one end of the elder or hose. 

 The point to be introduced into the rectum must be blunt, rounded, 

 and smooth. It is to be thoroughly oiled and then carefully pushed 

 through the anus in a slightly ui)ward direction. Pressure upon the 

 bladder will force its contents into the bowel. Much force must be 

 avoided, for the rectum may be lacerated and serious complications or 

 even death result. Exercise will aid the action of the bowels in this 

 and similar colicky troubles, but severe galloping or trotting is to be 

 condemned. If the horse can have a loose box or paddock it is the 

 best, as he will then take what exercise he wants. If the patient be 

 extremely violent it is often wise to restrain him, since rupture of the 

 stomach or displacement of the bowels may result and complicate the 

 troubles. 



Flatulent colic — Tympanites — Wind colic — Bloat. — Among the most 

 frequent causes of this form of colic are to be mentioned sudden 

 changes of food, too long fasting and food then given while the animal 

 is exhausted, new hay or grain, large quantities of green food, food 

 that has lain in the manger for some time and become sour, indigesti- 

 ble food, irregular teeth, crib-biting, and in fact anything that produces 

 indigestion may produce flatulent colic. 



The symptoms of wind colic are not so suddenly developed, nor so 

 severe as those of cramp colic. At first the horse is noticed to be dull, 

 paws slightly, may or may not lie down. The pains from the start are 

 continuous. The belly enlarges, and by striking it in front of the 

 haunches a drum-like sound is elicited. If not soon relieved the above 

 symptoms are aggravated, and in addition we notice difficult breath- 

 ing, profuse perspiration, trembling of anterior limbs, sighing respira- 

 tion, staggering from side to side, and, finally, jilunging forward dead. 

 The diagnostic symptom of flatulent colic is the distention of the bow- 

 els with gas, detected by the bloated appearance and resonance on per- 

 cussion. 



5961— HOR 2* 



