196 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



simple bland oil — e.g., that of linseed — will be quite 

 sufficient to cause it. Or, again, if the animal is put to 

 work during the operation of even a simple cathartic, or 

 is exercised too soon after its ' setting,' the same dire 

 results are likely to follow. 



This only shows the extreme susceptibility of the horse 

 to the action of purgatives, and, if anything, serves to 

 still further discountenance the common use of such a 

 drastic purge as aloes. 



Symptoms. — Should the purgative act in an easy 

 manner, but little disturbance of the system will be 

 noticed. The pulse becomes a little weaker, less full, 

 and its frequency increased. When the purging is about 

 to commence the coat will be staring, and occasional 

 tremors present themselves. The animal at this stage 

 is nauseated, appears restless, refuses his food, and shows 

 a slight increase in the number of respirations. 



Following this comes the increased action of the 

 bowels and the evacuation of their contents. If every- 

 thing goes well, a few hours will see a gradual return to 

 the normal. The breathing becomes more tranquil, the 

 pulse grows fuller and more quiet, and the appetite 

 again returns. 



Should the dose have been unsuited to the patient, 

 however, or should some adverse circumstance have 

 been in operation, the symptoms rapidly grow more 

 alarming. For example, if there has been any previous 

 slight symptom of fever, if the animal is allowed to drink 

 large quantities of cold water, or if he be exercised or 

 over-excited in any way, an excessive action of the drug 

 may assuredly be expected. 



It is not always, however, that a large dose of aloes is 

 needed to bring this about. It is not always that any 

 other adverse circumstance need be in simultaneous 



