coiic. 



495 



since then, extending over a period of twenty years, I have used the 

 same treatment in the cure, of a great many cases, and had it used 

 under my supervision, without the loss of^ a single case ; this treat- 

 ment I give first, having the utmost confidence in its great value. 



There are two forms of this disease, namely, spasmodic and flat- 

 ulent colic. The first is wholly of a spasmodic nature, and if not 

 promptly relieved, 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 



Fro. 814.— First Stage of Spasmodic Colic. 



fatally, by rupturing the diaphragm, causing suffocation and death. 

 The advantage of this treatment for colic was, first, in making a 

 fair trial 6f the best antispasmodic, laudanum ; then, if it failed to 

 give relief, or if there was relapse, bleedipg promptly, which not 

 only gave relief with more certainty, but prevented a tendency to 

 inflammation, thereby making a cure when medicine proved unavail- 

 ing. Second, in giving peppermint for flatulent colic. He found by 

 experiment that peppermint was the only remedy he could depend 

 upon for neutralizing the distending gas ; and its combination with 

 ether, as the best fof giving relief. 



Causes. — The common causes of colic are a sudden change in 

 the feed ; very often during. the summer, when running at pasture, 



