Diseases of the Bowels. 77 
COLIC. 
This disease in the dog is not of that frequency which 
might be expected from the strange circumstances under 
which at times he exists, the exertions required of him, 
the exposure he is subject to, and the bill of fare. 
_Causes.—Intestinal obstruction, calculi, intus-susception, 
hernia, impaction of faces, flatulency, worms, cold, or indi- 
_ gestible food. A special form of colic is caused by lead- 
poisoning. 
Symptoms.—Colic comes on suddenly ; the animal is to 
all appearance in perfect health, when he immediately 
utters a sharp cry of pain, and, with his back arched and 
abdomen drawn up, he walks restlessly about, whimpering 
or moaning, and endeavouring vainly to find ease in 
various postures. Considerable tympany is often present, 
giving the animal a tense inflated appearance. 
By careful inquiry the cause of the attack may be soften 
ascertained : frequently it may be traced to the food ; an 
unusual supply of bones may have been given, a great ae 
tion of which may probably have been devoured in such a 
form as to cause irritation, if not mechanical obstruction ; 
or from long submergence in water, which is frequently the 
case with swimming dogs, who no sooner approach the 
bank than another stick or stone is flung in, and away he is 
started again, and this repeated over and over again by 
thoughtless persons who never seem to dream of the extent 
to which they are taxing the good nature of the willing 
servant. 
Constipation, flatulency, worms, are also causes equally 
easy of ascertainment, and by inquiry (in kennel dogs more 
particularly) as to the source whence the water is supplied, 
and the vehicle through which it flows or is drauk from, we 
may arrive at the conclusion the attack is caused from the 
action of lead. Intus-susception, calculi, or hernia, would 
be indicated by the colicky pains being of greater frequency 
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