172 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



be injected without bad effects. As the foregoing case 

 illustrates, it appears rather to be productive of good. 

 The rise of febrile symptoms is effectually kept down, 

 and the rectum is prevented from attaining that degree 

 of horrible dryness that so commonly associates itself 

 with this type of colic. If not directly reached by the 

 in-running stream of water, the obstruction appears to 

 become softened by the large amount of fluid remaining 

 in the rectum immediately over it. 



In obstructive colics, occasioned by the accumulation 

 of masses of undigested food, veterinarians have con- 

 stantly bewailed the fact that the patient will not drink. 

 Here is a ready means of pouring into his system the 

 fluid he will not voluntarily take. In addition to the 

 mechanical aid it gives, we have the welcome signs of 

 active peristalsis, induced by the excitant action of the 

 cold water on the intestine itself. Now that I know its 

 value, it surprises me that no one seems largely to have 

 adopted the treatment. It is not a great deal of trouble, 

 and its beneficial results are at once apparent. 



