DISEASES OF THB DIGESTIVB ©RGANS. 6l 



to pass urine ; if a male, the erections, etc. ; and there is but Httle danger 

 of mistaking this for any other form of cohc. 



"What to Do. The pain being due to spasms or craimps of the 

 bowels, medicines should be given to overcome these spasms, viz. : anti- 

 spasmodic. The best remedy is one ounce of chloral hydrate in a half- 

 pint of water. Another remedy quite common and effectual is two 

 ounces each of sulphuric ether and laudanum in half-pint of lin.seed oil. 

 Still another remedy may be composed of two ounces each of sulphuric 

 ether and alcohol in eight ounces of water. If nothing else is at hand 

 give one half pint of whiskey in hot water. If the animal is not 

 relieved in an hour repeat the do.se. 



Keep the body verj^ warmlj- clothed and try to get the animal to per- 

 spire. Blankets dipped in very hot water to whi-ch a small quantity of 

 turpentine has been added, should be fastened around the belly and cov- 

 ered with dry blankets ; the bell}^ may b& rubbed with stimulating lini- 

 ments or mustard water. The difficult}' of keeping the hot blankets in 

 place while the horse is violentlj^ moving about during the spasms of 

 pain forces them in most cases to be abandoned. If the cramp is due to 

 irritants in the bowels, a cure is not complete till the offending irritant 

 is removed, and a cathartic consisting of one ounce of aloes or one pint 

 of linseed oil should be given. Injections into the rectum of warm soapy 

 water, or salt and water, aid the cure. The injection or enema should 

 be lukewarm and from three to six quarts given at a time. Exercise 

 will aid the action of the bowels in this and similar colicky troubles, 

 but severe galloping or trotting should be avoided. 



Wind Colic. Sometimes called tympanitis or bloat. The most 

 frequent causes of this form of colic are sudden changes of food ; too 

 long fasting and then food given while the animal is very tired ; new 

 hay or grain ; large quantities of green food ; food that has soured in 

 the manger or mixing tub ; indigestible food ; irregular teeth ; crib- 

 biting ; in fact anything that interferes with digestion. 



Symptoms. This colic is not so suddenly developed, nor are the 

 symptoms so severe, as in spasmodic or cramp colic. The animal is at 

 first dull, paws slightly, may or may not lie down. The pains are con- 

 tinuous ; the belly enlarged, and when struck in front of the haunches a 

 drum-like. sound is heard. If not soon relieved the symptoms are ag- 

 gravated and in addition there is difficult breathing ; profuse sweating ; 

 trembling of hind legs ; animal sighs when breathing ; staggers from 

 side to side ; and, finally, plunges forward dead. The distinguishing 



