252 INTESTINAL ADHESION. COLIC; [BOOK II. 



horses t«hat are inordinately fat, when hard worked; 

 the dung that is then eliminated bears with it a 

 portion of the slime or mucus that lines the intes- 

 tines, and this appearance has obtained for this 

 «pecies of inflammation the term molten grease, of 

 which we come shortly to treat. 



Adhesion of the gut sometimes takes place, so 

 as to cause partial obstruction to the passage of the 

 aliment; at others, tubercles are formed on the 

 mesentery, that holds the bowels in position ; and 

 in either case the secret is disclosed by a staring 

 coat, which some mistake for the worms. Both 

 those affections are the effect rather than the first 

 cause of inflammation of the part, and may be 

 distinguished from " the worms" by the state of 

 the pulse, by the heat, tension, and soreness 

 evinced by the patient on passing the hand over the 

 belly. See page 140, Book I. The reader will 

 also perceive, upon turning back to pages 74 — 76, 

 in what manner this adhesion is effected, vis. by the 

 exhaustion of the moisture that is designed by nature 

 to lubricate the parts. 



Colic of long continuance, if the animal is worked 

 while this is on him, is another prolific source of 

 inflammation of the intestines ; as is the drinking 

 cold water copiously, while in a state of perspiration, 

 or after a trying journey, which is always attended 

 with spasmodic colic of the stomach and bowels at 

 first, and of inflammation sooner or later, according 

 to the temperature of the individual. The necessity 

 of getting rid of the lesser attack before it acquires 



