COLIC. 411 



eaten, would be an extremely bad thing to give to an animal suffer- 

 ing from colic arising from acute inguinal hernia, or long-con- 

 tinued constipation. In the former case, the aloes would greatly 

 aggravate the congestion or iniianimation of the imprisoned bowel ; 

 in the latter, by forcing the offending mass tlii'ough the bowel, 

 it might lead to rupture of tlie intestine, or might set up fatal in- 

 flammation. Hence, I would advise that as long as the cause of 

 colic in any particular case remains unknown, it is best to continue 

 to treat symptoms. Thus, if pain be the only symptom discernible, 

 we might give Indian hemp, chlorodyne, or chloral hydrate : the 

 first-named for preference. If we had a free choice of drugs, it 

 would be well to limit the use of opium in colic to cases, like 

 those of hernia, in which it is desirable to check the action of 

 the bow^els. If the colic be comiDlicated by tympanites (distension 

 of the abdomen with gas), we might also use turpentine, which has 

 a powerful effect in checking fermentation. Puncturing the large 

 intestine (p. 677) is a very efficient means for relieving flatu- 

 lency. As soon as we find out what is causing the pain, we 

 should of course seek to remove it. By, however, treating the 

 symptoms of pain and flatulency, we not only do no harm; but 

 may save the animal's life by relieving distressing symptoms which 

 might kill the patient by their intensity. 



Horses which are subject to colic without ostensible cause, 

 should be regarded with extreme suspicion ; for such attacks are 

 often indicative of the presence of calculi in the bowels, of colic 

 brought on by the palisade worm (p. 401), or of other grave affec- 

 tions. 



The division of abdominal pain into spasmodic colic and flatu- 

 lent colic is an arbitrary one which has no merit beyond that of 

 the sanction of custom. We should bear in mind that colic may 

 occur in several ways, without there being either spasm or flatu- 

 lence. Instead of these terms, I venture to suggest those of 

 colic w'ithout flatulent distension, and colic with flatulent dis- 

 tension. 



Spasmodic Colic 



is the term applied to spasm of the muscular coat of the intes- 

 tines, generally caused by irritation due to the presence in them 

 of undigested food. It may also be caused by chill. It is usually 

 brought on by injudicious watering and feeding, especially, when 

 the horse is exhausted by hard work and long fasting; for the 

 digestive apparatus is then in a weakened state. Some animals, 

 from natural or induced weakness of these organs, are prone to 

 colic at all times, unless when carefully managed. This form of 



