SO-CALLED COLICS OF THE HORSE 117 



rapidly becoming serious which is usually indicated in one 

 to two hoiu-s by the change in the pulse, peristalsis, tempera- 

 ture and conjunctiva. There is, further, profuse sweating, 

 great prostration, collapse, etc. 



Prognosis.— It the torsion is not soon removed death will 

 result in six to twelve hours. 



Displacement of Small Bowels. Vohulus.— Etiology. 

 — Usually a primary impaction of a part of the bowel 

 behind the volvulus is the cause of change in position. 

 The impaction may be either in the small or large bowel. 

 Volvulus of the jejunum is commonly produced by impaction 

 of the ileum (stenosis). As in the case of the large bowels 

 a violent antiperistaltic movement of the bowel lying in 

 front of the impaction favors torsion. 



Diagnosis. — Contrary to torsion of the large bowel vol- 

 vulus can rarely be determined per re< turn. A diagnosis 

 is usually only possible by way of exclusion and is as such 

 a probable one. If on rectal exploration no change can be 

 found in the layers of the large intestine and the condition 

 of the patient is rapidly growing bad, the probability of a 

 volvulus is great. In some cases the bloating of the small 

 intestines, which may be determined per rectum, points to 

 volvulus. 



Prognosis. — ^The prognosis is bad. Death usually results 

 in eight to twelve hours. 



Treatment. — ^Treatment as a rule is without avail. 

 Attempts to relieve the animal by a laparotomy have not 

 proved to be feasible. 



Embolic Colic. — Definition. — By the term embolic or 

 thrombo-embolic colic we understand intestinal pain from 

 a disorder of the intestines due to the presence of a worm 

 aneurysm in the anterior mesenteric artery. The cause of the 

 worm anetirysm is the larva of the Strongylus armatus, 

 the armed palisade worm. The adult worm lives in the 

 large bowel and the eggs are discharged with the feces. In 

 the soil or stable floor the larvee are hatched and are taken 

 up by healthy horses (colts) with the bedding, or grass of the 

 pasture, and with the drinking water. From the bowel the 

 larvse pass into the veins of the mucous membrane of the 



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