COLIC. 185 



Symptoms are in many respects very similar to those already 

 described under the head of intestinal obstruction, with the ex- 

 ception that they are not so continuous, nor do they produce such 

 severe effects, nor is the attack developed so suddenly; in numer- 

 ous instances horses are capable of bearing a good deal of pain 

 before presenting any distinct evidence of suffering, and there is 

 little reason to doubt that frequently an animal may feel unwell 

 for some considerable period before any outward manifestations 

 are declared; it is when the pain becomes severe that a horse com- 

 mences to paw with his fore feet, strike at the abdomen withthe 

 hind feet and otherwise give evidence of great restlessness and 

 uneasiness; this will be succeeded by attempts to lie down, the prone 

 position being ultimately effected, when he will either roll from 

 side to side or throw himself right over two or three times and 

 then suddenly jump onto his feet and remain quietly standing for 

 some minutes, evidently the while comparatively free from pain; 

 but on the spasm being renewed the pawing is recommenced, and 

 after crouching in the act of lying down he will suddenly prostrate 

 himself as before and go over the same process from time to time 

 until relief is afforded. It is the practice of most horse keepers 

 and stablemen, and also of very many veterinarians, to endeavor 

 to hinder a horse from rolling, under the impression that it is at- 

 tended with the risk of producing a twisted bowel; with this view 

 we do not concur, and invariably allow our patients whatever 

 comfort and ease is derivable from rolling, under the conviction 

 that the act must afford some relief, and this impression receives 

 some countenance, as illustrated by the human subject, who in- 

 variable tosses about and rolls from, side to side when suffer- 

 ing acute agony from abdominal pain. Professor Robertson's 

 ''Equine Medicine'' lays down the following points of differentia- 

 tion for diagnosing which portions of the intestines are more par- 

 ticularly affected, as follows: " It seems probable that the symp- 

 toms of extreme restlessness, frequent pawing, much pain, with 

 anxious turning of the head to the flanks, are indicative of involve- 

 ment to a greater extent of the small intestine; while stretching 

 of the body as if desirous of urinating, throwing the head upwards 

 with curling of the upper lip and a disposition to mo^'e backwards 

 and press with the posterior parts against some resisting object, as 

 the wall or staU post are more particularly indicative of disturb- 



