414 DISEASES OF DIGESTION. 



abdomen fomented; and he should be kept warm. A catheter 

 (p. 655) should be passed, if the bladder is full. 



Flatulent Colic. 



This dangerous form of colic is due to the distension of the 

 bowels by gas, resulting, generally, from the decomposition of un- 

 digested food contained in them. It sometimes follows spasmodic 

 colic, in which case, we have, in the first instance, spasm due to 

 irritation set up by the presence of undigested matter; and, sub- 

 sequently, distension, owing to its decomposition. 



We may conclude that flatulent colic is usually caused by errors 

 in feeding and watering the horse. Perhaps, he has been given a 

 large quantity of rank grass, watery roots, or boiled grain, which, 

 on account of its moist nature, is quickly swallowed without being 

 properly masticated. The gastric juice, being too much diluted 

 by the fluid portion of the forage, performs its office imperfectly; 

 decomposition takes place; and the bowels become filled with gas. 

 Or, the thirsty horse, after feeding, may have had a draught of 

 water which may have diluted the gastric juice to an injurious 

 extent, or may have checked its secretion by chilling the stomach, 

 and we may get a case similar to the one just described. Or the 

 horse may have been worked soon after being fed. Here the mus- 

 cular labour will tend to check the secretion of gastric juice, and 

 arrest the movements in the stomach which, are necessary to 

 digestion ; distension and colic being the probable results. Feed- 

 ing horses immediately after work, without watering them, is 

 apt to cause colic. 



Horses which are fed on large quantities of boiled food, frequently 

 become chronically disposed to attacks of flatulent colic, from the 

 fact of their stomach having become weakened from continued over- 

 distension. 



In Northern India, horses are generally fed on a kind of pea, 

 called gram. As it is hard and dry, some persons ignorantly con- 

 sider that it should be well soaked in water before being given to 

 the horse. If this be done, the gram is imperfectly masticated, 

 and the bolus of food, instead of being thoroughly mixed with 

 saliva before entering the stomach, in which state it would be 

 ready for reception by that organ, is simply saturated with 

 water. Sometimes, the gram is steeped so long that fermentation 

 actually commences in it before it is given to the horse. Naturally, 

 this system of feeding is a fruitful source of indigestion, and 

 occasionally produces colic. 



Some years ago, watering after feeding was a not unfrequent 

 practice in batteries of artillery and regiments of cavalry in 



