COLIC. 413 



TREATMENT. — Gamgee taught that colic being due to the 

 presence of some undigested irritating substance in the bowels ; 

 its rational treatment is removal of the offending matter hj pur- 

 gatives and enemas. This practice, as I have pointed out on pp. 

 410 and 411, is not always safe. Besides, a strong purgative would 

 unfit a horse for work for a few days. The employment of an 

 antispasmodic, such as turpentine, chloric aether, chlorodyne, or 

 even alcohol, is as rational as that of a purgative ; for the anti- 

 spasmodic, like the purgative, stimulates the intestine to get rid 

 of the offending material, without, however, causing the discharge 

 of watery fluid. We should also remember the fact that untreated 

 colic is not necessarily fatal. In fact, the majority of cases of 

 colic would recover if left alone. 



In ordinary cases, I give the following drench : — 



Turpentine ... ... ... ... 2 oz. 



Linseed oil ... ... ... ... 1^ pint. 



Some practitioners prefer an ounce of chloric aether to the turpen- 

 tine in the above draught. 



In these cases, linseed oil acts veiy usefully as a gentle aperient 

 wiiich does not cause watery evacuations, and as a protective vehi- 

 cle for the turpentine. The turpentine checks the formation of 

 gas, and stimulates the motion of the intestines. It may be given 

 in ^ruel (as a drench), if the oil be not procurable. 



If relief be not obtained, give a subcutaneous injection (p. 633 

 of eserine (p. 609), and, if necessary, 1 oz. of chloral hydrate in a 

 pint of water, as a drench. Above all things, we should exercise 

 patience. 



The following is a useful ball for colic in Asiatic countries where 

 its component drugs can, as a rule, be easily procured : — 



Opium... ... ... ... ... 11 drachm. 



Asafoetida ... ... ... ... 1 ,, 



Camphor ... ,. ... ... 2 „ 



If, in the first instance, nothing else is to be had, we may give 

 a quart of warm ale, fortified by a quarter of a pint of spirits and a 

 tablespoonful of powdered ginger; or, better still, an ounce of 

 ciilorodyne in a pint of cold water. 



The horse should be kept quiet in his stall, with plenty of bed- 

 ding under him, so that he may relieve himself by rolling, and 

 should not be distressed by exercise. If, however, he begins to 

 throw himself about violently, it is advisable to give him the 

 chloral hydrate already advised, in order to prevent him injuring 

 himself internally. He may have one or two enemas of warm 

 water; the surface of his body should be well hand-rubbed; his 



