74 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
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 te stimulate the peristaltic motion 
of the bowels and to favor 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. 
SpPasMODIC 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 progresses 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 
