SUBACUTE OBSTRUCTION OF THE DOUBLE COLON 119 



wind and rain. When they return to the stable they 

 have a similar large feed to the morning one — ^if anything, 

 a little more — -without any water until after they have 

 finished. They are then turned out to the trough, and 

 we can imagine the quantity they drink after eating such 

 a large meal and working all day. In a few cases nose- 

 bags are provided for them at noon, and on those farms 

 '' colic " cases are not so frequent. 



' The exciting causes, then, may be said to be the long 

 intervals between feeding and the large amount of in- 

 digestible food given them at each meal. 



* The symptoms of a subacute case are those which do 

 not give rise to any alarm on the part of the owner or 

 attendants. The animal looks dull, refuses food, lies 

 down in the natural position, and remains quiet for some 

 little time, with the exception, perhaps, of looking round 

 to his flanks. He will then get up and pick a few mouth- 

 fuls of straw. After standing for some little time, pawing 

 occasionally, he will gradually make up his mind to lie 

 down again. There may be little or no tympany, the 

 pulse, temperature, and respirations practically normal ; 

 examination per rectum will reveal that bowel to be 

 almost empty, while other portions of the intestines will 

 be found to be full of a mass of dough-like faeces. There 

 will be an entire absence of abdominal sounds. If relief 

 be not afforded, the symptoms will soon become more 

 alarming. The animal will be up and down constantly, 

 and, when down, rolling ; in fact, not still a moment. 

 The tympany becomes much greater, and he breaks out 

 in patches of sweat ; pulse and respirations accelerated. 

 Oftentimes we are too late to watch the subacute 

 symptoms, but on our arrival the patient is in a desperate 

 condition, perspiration literally pouring from him, great 

 tympany, pulse nearly 100, respirations much accelerated, 



