74 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 



A physic should always be given as early as possible in flatulent 

 colic, the best being Barbados aloes in the dose already mentioned. 

 Injections, per rectum, of turpentine 1 to 2 ounces, linseed oil 8 

 ounces, may be given frequently to stimulate the peristaltic motion 

 of the bowels and to f a^or the escape of wind. Blankets wrung out 

 of hot water do much to afford relief ; they should be renewed every 

 5 or 10 minutes and covered with a dry woolen blanket. This form 

 of colic is much more fatal than cramp colic, and requires prompt 

 and persistent treatment. It is entirely unsafe to predict the result, 

 some apparently mild attacks going on to speedy death, while others 

 that at the onset appear to be very severe yielding rapidly to treat- 

 ment. No efforts should be spared until the animal is known to be 

 dead. In these severe cases puncturing of the bowels in the most 

 prominent (distended) part by means of a small trocar and cannula 

 or with a needle of a hypodermic syringe, thus allowing the escape 

 of gas, has often saved life, and such punctures, if made with a 

 clean, sharp instrument that is not allowed to remain in the horse 

 too long, are accompanied with little danger and do more to relieve 

 the patient quickly than any other treatment. 



Spasmodic or cramp colic. — This is the name given to that form 

 of colic produced by contraction, or spasm, of a portion of the small 

 intestines. It is produced by indigestible feed ; large drinks of cold 

 water when the animal is warm ; driving a heated horse through deep 

 streams ; cold rains ; drafts of cold air, etc. Unequal distribution of 

 or interference with the nervous supply here produces cramp of 

 the bowels, the same as external cramps are produced. Spasmodic 

 colic is much more frequently met with in high-bred, nervous horses 

 than in coarse, lymphatic ones. 



Symptoms. — These should be carefully studied in order to diagnose 

 this from other forms of colic requiring quite different treatment. 

 Spasmodic colic always begins suddenly. If feeding, the horse is 

 seen to stop abruptly, stamp impatiently, and probably look back. 

 He soon evinces more acute pain, shown by pawing, suddenly lying 

 down, rolling, and getting up. During the period of pain the in- 

 testinal sounds, as heard by applying the ear over the flank, are 

 louder than in health. There is then an interval of ease; he will re- 

 sume feeding and appear to be entirely well. In a little while, how- 

 ever, the pains return and are increased in severity, only to pass 

 off again for a time. As the attack progi-esses these intervals of ease 

 become shorter and shorter, and pain may be continuous, though even 

 then there are exacerbations of pain. Animals suffering from this 

 form of colic evince the most intense pain ; they throw themselves 

 roll over and over, jump up, whirl about, drop down again, paw, or 

 strike rather, with the front feet, steam and sweat, and make fre- 

 quent attempts to pass their urine. Only a small quantity of water 



