84 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



certainly have merited a bad prognosis. Still, I was 

 tempted to hold out hopes, for the reason that we had a 

 perfectly normal pulse — normal in tone and normal in 

 number. The conclusion of that case alone warrants me 

 in giving the advice to take the pulse, temperature, and 

 respirations collectively, for an hour later saw the 

 character of the pulse enormously changed for the worse. 

 I was compelled to give a fatal prognosis, and the animal 

 died nine hours afterwards. The attentive reader will 

 notice that this case was really one of acute gastric 

 tympany. It was, however, inserted with this list of 

 cases of obstruction to illustrate more forcibly the 

 remarks I have just made. This special attention paid 

 to the character of the pulse in conjunction with the 

 temperature and respirations, the symptoms I have given 

 well weighed, and his own powers of observation brought 

 well into play, should leave the veterinarian in a fair way 

 to satisfactorily come to a right conclusion. 



Prognosis. — The subacute obstructive colics are the 

 ones among these many disorders that allow the veteri- 

 narian ample time in which to judge pretty accurately of 

 the probable termination of the attack. 



Having diagnosed his case, and ascertained that he has 

 a fairly normal pulse, he may, with every confidence, rely 

 upon the great majority of his patients recovering, if not 

 too seriously hampered by the administration of unsuit- 

 able drugs. He should in most instances carefully 

 explain the nature of the complaint to the owner ; point 

 out the fact that the condition of the pulse is such as to 

 occasion him no alarm ; advise him that an alteration in 

 the pulse will be the first sign of a likely fatal conclusion ; 

 and pledge himself to immediately warn his client should 

 such alteration unfortunately occur. So long as the 

 pulse remains good, the patient's strength is maintained. 



