40 



horse, and tbe great majority will be seen to thus yield; in fact, this is 

 rather a sign or symptom of health than of disease. 



To recapitulate the symptoms of spasmodic colic : Keep in mind the 

 history of the case, the type of horse, the suddenness of the attack, the 

 intervals of ease (which become of shorter duration as the case pro- 

 gresses), the violent pain, the normal temperature and pulse during the 

 intervals of ease, the frequent attempts to urinate, the erection of the 

 penis, etc., and there is but little danger of confounding this with 

 other foruis of colic. 



Treatment. — Since the pain is due to spasm or cramp of the bowels, 

 medicines that overcome spasms — anti-spasmodics — are the ones indi- 

 cated. Probably there is no medicine better than chloral hydrate. 

 This is to be given in a dose of 1 ounce in a half pint of water as a 

 drench. A very common and good remedy is sulphuric ether and laud- 

 anum; of each 2 ounces in half pint of linseed oil. Another drench 

 may be composed of 2 ounces each of sulphuric ether and alcohol in 8 

 ounces of water. If nothiug else is at hand we may give whisky; one- 

 half pint in hot water. If relief is not obtained in one hour from any 

 of the above doses, they may then be repeated. The body should be 

 warmly clothed and perspiration induced. Blankets dipj)ed in very hot 

 water to which a small quantity of turpentine has been added should 

 be placed around the belly and covered with dr^' blankets, or the abdo- 

 men may be rubbed with stimulating liniments or mustard- water. The 

 difficulty, however, of applying hot blankets and keeping them in place 

 forces us in most instances to dispense with them. If the cramp is due 

 to irritants in the bowels a cure is not complete until we have given a 

 cathartic of 1 ounce of aloes or 1 pint of liuseed-oil. Injections into the 

 rectum of warm, soapy water, or salt and water, aid the cure. 



One word here about injections, or enemas, as they are called. These, 

 as a rule, should be lukewarm and from 3 to quarts are to be given 

 at a time. They may be repeated every half hour if necessary. Great 

 care is to be taken not to iujure the rectum in giving rectal injections. 

 A large syringe is the best means by which to give them. If this ia 

 not to be had, take a large elder, from which the pith has been removed, 

 or a piece of hose. A large hog's bladder is to be filled with the fluid 

 to be injected and tied about one end of the elder or hose. The point 

 to be introduced into the rectum must be blunt, rounded, and smooth. 

 It is to be thoroughly oiled and then carefully pushed through the anus 

 in a slightly upward direction. Pressure upon the bladder will force 

 its contents into the bowel. Much force must be avoided, for the 

 rectum may be lacerated and serious complications or even death re- 

 sult. Exercise will aid the action of the bowels in this and similar 

 colicky troubles, but severe galloping or trotting is to be condemned. 

 If the horse can have a loose box or paddock it is the best, as he will 

 then take what exercise he wants. If the patient be extremely violent 

 it is often wise to restrain him, since rupture of the stomach or dis- 

 placement of the bowels may result and complicate the troubles. 



