156 SPASMODIC COLIC. 



chief object is to know the disease when it occurs; 

 not to confound it with inflammation of the bowels, 

 which requires an altogether different treatment. The 

 symptoms by which the one may be distinguished 

 from the other should never be mistaken after one 

 or two cases have been witnessed. In both there is 

 pain ; stamping ; looking at the flanks ; and rolling : 

 but in inflammation of the bowels the pain is con- 

 stant ; in colic there are periods when the horse en- 

 joys a total relief from pain, and turns to the manger 

 to feed. In the first, although the horse stamps 

 violently, he takes great care to touch his belly ten- 

 derly : in the second disease he often strikes his belly 

 desperately with his hind feet. In the one, the belly 

 is hot, and pressure on it gives much pain ; in the 

 other, there is no heat, and moderate friction evi- 

 dently affords relief. In inflammation of the bowels, 

 the pulse is, from the beginning, wiry and quick ; the 

 mouth is at the commencement hot, and then clammy, 

 or deathly cold ; in colic the pulse is not always 

 affected at first, although after a while, it quickens; 

 and the mouth is of its natural temperature until colic 

 merges into some more serious affection. Through- 

 out there are usually some premonitory symptoms — 

 as dulness, loss of appetite, and constipation — belong- 

 ing to an attack of inflammation ; colic comes on sud- 

 denly, without any warning. Motion sadly aggra- 

 vates the pain of inflammation ; a horse with colic 

 may become a little easier if he is walked about ; 

 though it is always safer to let him have a loose box, 

 and take what exercise he pleases. 



The history of the case should also be inquired into. 



