162 COLIC. 



been scarce and among flocks in bad bodily condition. The force of 

 example also plays a certain part, and animals probably imitate one 

 another, and so acquire the disease. This explains the importance of 

 early segregation. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis of depraved appetite, pica, or the licking 

 habit presents no difficulty ; but it can only be arrived at by the cow- 

 man or shepherd, for the symptoms can only be detected by continued 

 watching. 



The diagnosis of pyloric or intestinal obstruction is very difficult in 

 the absence of information. It becomes easy after the first post-mortem 

 examination has been made. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is grave. In calves, obstruction of the 

 bowel by hair-balls inevitably causes death, and in sucking lambs the 

 mortality may lie high : as much as 15 per cent, to 20 per cent, according 

 to the observations of several ol)Hervers. The mortality occurs about 

 the age of six weeks to two months, whilst the licking habit may begin 

 towards the end of the second week. 



Treatment. Prophylaxis demands that the mothers (whether cows 

 or ewes) be well fed. An excellent precaution consists in adding to the 

 food a sufficient quantity of salt and of phosphate of lime ('2 drams 

 to 2-h drams of each). This treatment of the mothers is necessary 

 as soon as the tendency to licking becomes manifest. 



In calves the best method of avoiding fatal results is to prevent the 

 young animals licking one another ; and the method now usually prac- 

 tised on well-managed farms consists in applying a simple muzzle of 

 wicker work immediately after each meal. 



In lamljs treatment is more difficult. As soon as the shepherd 

 sees any tendency to depraved appetite the lambs should only be left 

 with their mothers whilst being suckled. The flock should be exercised 

 in the open, and ordinary salt should be placed at a number of points on 

 the ground occupied by the animals. 



COLIC IN THE OX. 



COLIC DDE TO INGESTION OF COLD WATBE. CONGESTIVE COLIC. 



Causation. Congestive colic occurs in the stable, in animals which 

 have been doing heavy work, and, returning in a heated condition, drink 

 large quantities of cold water. It is commoner when animals have not 

 eaten for a considerable time, and when, therefore, the stomach is nearly 

 empty. Under these circumstances chill of the digestive viscera is direct 

 and immediate. 



Symptoms. This form of colic occurs suddenly, soon after the water 

 has been swallowed, and is characterised by violent pain. At first the 



