DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 145 



A very little driving without regard to this prudence will 

 soon get even a good, hardy horse off his food, if not cause 

 sickness, and then PROVIDENCE, or something else, is the 

 supposed cause. Use all the care and prudence you can in 

 guarding against and preventing sickness ; it is your safest 

 and best rule. I give the very best treatment in the follow- 

 ing pages you can use with most success. The medicine is 

 easily obtained and administered. Indeed there are single 

 remedies in this book I would not be without for one thou- 

 sand dollars. 



SPASMODIC COLIC. 



Colic is one of the most common as well as most danger- 

 ous diseases to which the horse is subject. There are two 

 forms of this disease, namely, Spasmodic and Flatulent 

 Colic. 



The first is wholly of a spasmodic nature, and if not re- 

 lieved, will, in severe cases, run into inflammation of the 

 bowels, causing speedy death. 



The second, while exhibiting the same general symptoms, 

 shows marked enlargement of the belly, from generation of 

 gas, which, if not checked and neutralized, results fatally 

 by rupturing the diaphragm, causing suffocation and death. 



The common causes of colic are, application of cold 

 water to the body, drinking cold water when in a heated 

 condition, costiveness, unwholesome food, etc. 



Premonitory symptoms, are sudden. The animal paws 

 violently, showing evidences of great distress, shifting his 

 position almost constantly, and manifesting a desire to lie 

 down. In a few minutes these symptoms disappear, and 

 the horse is easy.* But the same uneasiness soon returns, 

 increasing in severity until the animal cannot be kept upon 

 his feet; the pulse is full, scarcely altered from its normal 

 condition; a cold sweat breaks out over the body; temper- 

 ature of legs and ears natural. As the disease advances the 



* NOTE. He may also act as if he wanted to make water, which he cannot do, 

 there being a spasmodic contraction of the urethra. Hence the desire to give 

 diuretic medicine. Straining in this way is usually prompted by a desire to re- 

 lieve the muscles of the belly. No diuretic medicine should be given as the horse 

 cannot pass urine until the attack of colic ceases, or it is taken from him with a 

 catheter. 



It is very seldom, even necessary to use a catheter. In fact, it is not necessary 

 to pay any attention to this symptom. As soon as relieved of the colic, the horse 

 will pass water freely. 



