DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 76 



is passed at a time; this is due to the bladder being so frequently 

 emptied. These attempts to urinate are often regarded by horsemen 

 as symptoms of trouble of the kidneys or bladder. In reality they 

 are only one of the many ways in which the horse expresses the pres- 

 ence of pain. As a matter of fact, diseases of the bladder or kidneys 

 of the horse are exceedingly rare. 



To recapitulate the symptoms of spasmodic colic : The history of 

 the case, the type of horse, the suddenness of the attack, the in- 

 creased intestinal sounds,, the intervals of ease (M'hich become of 

 shorter duration as the case progresses), the violent pain, the normal 

 temperature and pulse during the intervals of ease, the frequent at- 

 tempts to urinate, etc., should be kept in mind, and there is then but 

 little danger of confounding this with other forms pf colic. 



Treatmemt. — Since the pain is due to spasm or cramp of the bowels, 

 medicines that OA^ercome spasms-^antispasmodics — are the ones indi- 

 cated. Chloral hydrate may be used. This is to be given in a dose 

 of 1 ounce in a pint of water as a drench. As this drug is irritant to 

 the throat and stomacli, it has to be well diluted. A common and 

 good remedy is sulphuric ether and laudanum, of each 2 ounces, in a 

 half pint of linseed oil. Another drench may be composed of 2 

 ounces each of sulphuric ether and alcohol in 8 ounces of water. If 

 nothing else is at hand give whisky, one-half pint in hot water. 

 Jamaica ginger is useful. If relief is not obtained in one hour from 

 any of the above doses, they may then be repeated. The body should 

 be warmly clothed and perspiration induced. Blankets dipped in 

 very hot water to which a small quantity of turpentine has been 

 added should be placed around the belly and covered with dry 

 blankets, or the abdomen may be rubbed with stimulating liniments 

 or mustard water. The difficulty, however, of applying hot blankets 

 and keeping them in place forces us in most instances to dispense 

 with them. If the cramp is due to irritants in the bowels, a cure is 

 not complete until a cathartic of 1 ounce of aloes or 1 pint of linseed 

 oil is given. Injections of warm, soapy water or salt and water into 

 the rectum aid the cure. 



Rectal injections, clysters, or enemas as a rule should be lukewarm, 

 and from 3 to 6 quarts are to be given at a time. They may be 

 repeated every half hour if necessary. Great care is to be taken not 

 to injure the rectum in giving such injections. A large syringe or a 

 piece of rubber hose 4 or 5 feet long, with a funnel attached at one 

 end, affords the best means by which to give them. The pipe of the 

 syringe or the hose introduced into the rectum must be blunt, rounded, 

 and smooth; it is to be thoroughly oiled and then carefully pushed 

 through the anus in a slightly upward direction. Much force must 

 be avoided, for the rectum may be lacerated and serious complications 

 or even death result. Exercise will aid the action of the bowels in this 

 and similar colicky troubles, but severe galloping or trotting is to,be 



