i86 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



the contrary, he may be perfectly assured — thanks to 

 Professor Macqueen — f hat the incising of the flank and 

 opening of the bowel (laparo-enterotomy) is attended with 

 no grave risk in the horse — that is, if conducted strictly 

 under modern antiseptic precautions, and with a patient 

 still free from symptoms of collapse. 

 As illustrative of a suitable case for operative measures, 



1 would refer the reader to a reported case of Mr. E. R. 

 Harding, M.R.C.V.S., of Salisbury :i 



' Peculiarly-shaped Large Calculus in the Small 

 Colon of a Mare. — The mare was taken ill on a Sunday. 

 An examination was made by Mr. Harding. The large 

 bowels were found full of faeces, and the animal showing 

 signs of colic. The pain was not acute, and the tem- 

 perature very little disturbed. The animal was given 



2 grains of eserine without its having the slightest effect 

 on the colic or in producing defascation. Aloes was not 

 given, but the case treated with stimulants. During the 

 first four days she had intervals of pain, while at other 

 times she was quiet. At no time was the pain acute. 

 After Tuesday the animal appeared to have no pain 

 whatever for a week, but she ate nothing, and there was 

 no movement of the bowels. The only medicine admin- 

 istered was stimulants,'^ and warm-water injections five or 

 six times a day. This went on for eighteen days, when 

 the mare died during the night. A post-mortem revealed 

 a large calculus in the colon, and showed that the actual 

 cause of death was ruptured colon, while an enormous 

 mass of ingesta was found in the bowels. The calculus 

 was 3^' pounds in weight, and seemed composed princi- 

 pally of faecal matter. The animal had been in the 

 owner's possession four or five years, and had not been 

 ill before.' 



There are two things that appeal to one in the report 

 of that case. The first is the marvellous manner in 



' Veterinary Record, vol. xiv., p. 682, 

 '^ The italics are mine. — H. C. R. 



