1 86 VETERINARY HOMCEOPATHY. 



ance associated with impaction or distension of the large bowel. ' * 

 In cases of flatulent colic, in which the distension of the large 

 double colon is the most marked feature, it will be observed that 

 horses are very undecided about l3'ing down, and if they do ulti- 

 mately resort to this position they remain in it but a short time, 

 appearing to experience considerable discomfort over and above 

 the pain, and consequentlj^ after going down they quickly rise to 

 their feet. 



In flatulent colic also the respirations are especially affected, 

 due probably to the fact that the contents of the immensel3'-dis- 

 tended abdomen press undul}' upon the diaphragm and the lungs, 

 rendering the breathing peculiarly difficult ; it will be noticed that 

 the respirations are short and quick, breathing being effected 

 almost entirely by the aid of the thoracic muscles. The abdomen 

 becomes tense and drum-like, and in the absence of relief there is 

 some risk that either the intestinal walls or the diaphragm may be 

 ruptured. Intestinal obstruction, simple spasmodic colic and flatti- 

 leyit colic may arise quite independently; at the same time there 

 may be a combination of all three in one case at the same time; 

 fortunately we have remedies capable of combatting each and all 

 of these conditions, and in making our choice of treatment we 

 must be guided by the totality of the s3'mptoms, taking as our 

 most important and reliable indication the condition which gives 

 evidence of the most prominence; it is, however desirable that it 

 should be distinctly understood that these three forms of colic 

 need not neces.sarily occur quite independently of one another, 

 but as Professor Robertson says, ' ' Colic or abdominal pain may be 

 the common bond of union which links together these different 

 forms of disturbed function, spasm of the bowel, accumulation of 

 excrementitious matter and varying degrees of tympany, it is 

 probable that its most frequent manifestation is in connection 

 with disturbance which is a variable combination of all these indi- 

 vidual conditions." 



Treatment. — Aconite S has proved a consistently successful 

 remedy in cases of colic arising from cold and exposure; for colic 

 brought on by allowing a horse to drink freely when overheated, 

 and in ca.ses where inability to pass water is specially marked; the 

 horse repeatedly postures himself to urinate and strains, with the 

 result that no urine passes, or only a few drops at most; these 



