SPASMODIC COLIC. 217 



part of the alimentary canal. Habitual costiveness and the 

 presence of calculi are frequent causes of spasmodic colic. The 

 seat of colic is occasionally the duodenum, but oftener the ileum 

 or the jejunum ; sometimes, however, both the csecum and colon 

 are affected. 



Fortunately we are acquainted with several medicines that 

 allay these spasms ; and the disease often ceases almost as sud- 

 denly as it appeared. Turpentine is one of the most powerful 

 remedies, especially in union with opium, and in good warm ale. 

 The account that has just been given of the csecum will not be 

 forgotten here. A solution of aloes will be advantageously added 

 to the turpentine and opium. 



If relief is not obtained in half an hour, it will be prudent to 

 bleed, for the continuance of violent spasm may produce inflam- 

 mation. Some practitioners bleed at first, and it is far from bad 

 practice ; for although the majority of cases will yield to turpen- 

 tine, opium, and alo6s, an early bleeding may occasionally pre- 

 vent the recurrence of inflammation, or at least mitigate it. . If 

 it is clearly a case of coUc, half of the first dose may be repeated, 

 with aloes dissolved in warm water. The stimulus produced on 

 the inner surface of the bowels by the purgative may counteract 

 the irritation that caused the spasm. The belly should be well 

 rubbed with a brush or warm cloth, but not bruised and mjured 

 by the broom-handle rubbed over it, with all their strength, by 

 two great fellows. The horse should be walked about, or trotted 

 moderately. The motion thus produced in the bowels, and the 

 friction of one intestine over the other, may relax the spasm, but 

 the hasty gallop might speedily cause inflammation to succeed 

 to cohc. Clysters of warm water, or containing a solution of 

 aloes, should be injected. The patent syringe will here be ex- 

 ceedingly useful. A clyster of tobacco-smoke may be thrown up 

 46 a last resort. 



When rehef has been obtained, the clothing of the horse, satu- 

 rated with perspiration, should be removed, and fresh and dry 

 clothes substituted. He should be well littered down in a warm 

 stable or box, and have bran mashes and lukewarm water for the 

 next two or three days. 



Some persons give gin, or gin and pepper, or even spirit of pi- 

 mento, in cases of gripes. This course of proceeding is, however, 

 exceecUngly objectionable^ It may be useful, or even sufiicient, 

 in ordinary cases of colic ; but if there should be any inflamma- 

 tion, or tendency to inflammation, it cannot fail to be highly in- 

 jurious.* 



* Note hji Mr. Spooner. — It is very important to discriminate accurately 

 between colic iuid inflammation of tlie bowels. The principal distinctiva 



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