FLATULENT COLIC. 93 



sometimes it is occasioned by drinking a 

 large quantity of cold water when the body 

 has been heated, and the motion of the blood 

 accelerated by violent exercise. In horses of 

 delicate constitutions, that have been accus- 

 tomed to hot stables and warm clothintr, it 

 may be brought 0!i merely by drinking water 

 that is very cold, though they have not been 

 previously exercised. Bad iiay appears to be 

 another cause of the complaint ; but it fre- 

 quently occurs without any apparent cause, 

 and then probably (hpe)ids upon a spasmodic 

 action of the stomach or bowels, occasionina: 

 a constriction of the intestine, and a confine- 

 ment of air. It has not been ascertained whe- 

 ther this air be procUiced by a fermentation of 

 the contents ot the bowels, or formed by the 

 arteries of theii internal coat : which ever of 

 these is the source of the air, there is no 

 doubt that the immediate cause of its form- 

 ation and confinement is w^eakness, or a loss 

 of vital energy. On this account medicines 

 of a stimulating qualit^^ are the most effectual 

 remedies ; therefore the common flatulent 

 colic is easily cured by grooms and farriers, 

 who seldom oriye anv other kmd of medicines. 

 The greatest caution, however, is necessary 



