SPASMODIC COLIC. 299 



a portion of the duodenum which was perforated by bots, several of which had 

 escaped into the abdomen. Around the aperture the duodenum was in a gan- 

 grenous state *." 



The diseases of the jejunum and the ileum consist either of spasmodic affec- 

 tion or inflammation. 



SPASMODIC COLIC. 



The passage of the food through the intestinal canal is effected by the alter- 

 nate contraction and relaxation of the muscular coat of the intestines. When 

 that action is simply increased through the whole of the canal, the food passes 

 more rapidly, and purging is produced ; but the muscles of every part of the 

 frame are liable to irregular and spasmodic action, and the muscular coat of 

 some portion of the intestines may be thus affected. The. spasm may be con- 

 fined to a very small part of the canal. The gut has been found, after death, 

 strangely contracted in various places, but the contraction not exceeding five or 

 six inches in any of them. In the horse, the ileum is the usual seat of this 

 disease. It is of much importance to distinguish between spasmodic colic and 

 inflammation of the bowels, for the symptoms have considerable resemblance, 

 although the mode of treatment should be very different. 



The attack of colic is usually very sudden. There is often not the slightest 

 warning. The horse begins to shift his posture, look round at his flanks, paw 

 violently, strike his belly with his feet and crouch in a peculiar manner, advanc- 

 ing his hind limbs under him ; he will then suddenly lie, or rather fall down, 

 and balance himself upon his back, with his feet resting on his belly. The pain 

 now seems to cease for a little while, and he gets up, and shakes himself, 

 and begins to feed; the respite, however, is but short — the spasm returns 

 more violently — every indication of pain is increased — he heaves at the flanks, 

 breaks out into a profuse perspiration, and throws himself more recklessly 

 about. In the space of an hourbr two, either the spasms begin to relax, and 

 the remissions are of longer duration, or the torture is augmented at every 

 paroxysm ; the intervals of ease are fewer and less marked, and inflammation 

 and death supervene. The pulse is but little affected at the commencement, 

 but it soon becomes frequent and contracted, and at length is scarcely tangible. 



It will presently be seen that many of the symptoms very closely resemble- 

 those of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bowels: it may therefore 

 be useful to point out the leading distinctions between them. 



COLIC. INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 



Sudden in its attack. Gradual in its approach, with previous in- 



dications of fever. 



Pulse rarely much quickened in the early Pulse very much quickened, but small, and 

 period of the disease, and during the intervals often scarcely to be felt, 

 of ease ; but evidently fuller. 



Leg6 and ears of the natural temperature. Legs and ears cold. 



Relief obtained from rubbing the belly. Belly exceedingly tender and painful to the 



touch. 



Relief obtained from motion. Motion evidently increasing the pain. 



Intervals of rest. Constant pain. 



Strength scarcely affected. Rapid and great weakness. 



Among the causes of colic are, the drinking of cold water when the horse is 

 heated. There is not a surer origin of violent spasm than this. Hard water 

 is very apt to produce this effect. Colic will sometimes follow the exposure of 

 a horse to the cold air or a cold wind after strong exercise. Green meat, 

 although, generally speaking, most beneficial to the horse, yet, given in too 

 large a quantity, or when he is hot, will frequently produce gripes. Doses of 



• Veterinarian, vol. v. p. 493. 



