D{SEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 18g 
tities of gas. A slight improvement was soon perceptible, yet it 
appeared that the fermentation was still going on, ae the abdomen 
did not decrease in volume; so I gave two ounces of hypusulphite 
of soda, in view of arresting the generation of gas. This had the 
desired effect ; for, as the gas was liberated, the abdomen decreased 
in size. It was not, however, until a lapse of ten hours from the 
attack that the patient obtained complete relief from his suffer- 
ings. This case only differs from meteorization in the sudden- 
ness of the attack of the former. 
Persons who attempt to treat cases of this character must exer- 
cise due patience. The animal must suffer a certain length of 
time, notwithstanding the best-selected remedies are exhibited. 
In other words, the reader is advised not to be in too much of a 
hurry in getting the animal on its legs again. Take good care 
of him ; give him plenty of bedding to rest or roll on; in short, 
nurse him as if he were a child, and, above all, do not give him 
too much medicine. 
Fa ruLENT Couic. 
This is a disease of very frequent occurrence among horses. It 
is known by a distension of the intestines and abdomen, with 
flatus or gas. In the early stage, no perceptible abdominal dis- 
tension occurs, yet it very soon manifests itself. One way of sat- 
isfying ourselves of the presence of flatus is, to apply the ear to 
the abdominal region, within which a sort of active rumbling is 
heard, often accompanied by a tinkling or metallic sound. But 
while making our examination, we may, perhaps, perceive that 
the horse passes flatus by the anus, or eructates it from the stom- 
ach by the mouth. In either case, our doubts, if we have any, 
are set at rest. This feature of flatulency, accompanied by others 
which will be alluded to, complete the chain of evidence. 
In some cases the gas accumulates in the large intestines until 
the abdomen resembles, in size, that of an ox when “hoven.” It 
is very distressing to witness the sufferings of an animal in this 
condition ; and when the intestines are so enormously distended 
as to threaten rupture, the only chance of relief is to send a trocar 
and canula through the walls of the abdomen, into some portion 
of the distended intestine, and thus liberate the gas. 
Symptoms.- -[t may be well to bear in mind that flatulent colic 
