COLIC. 413 



and was, of course, attended by many cases of colic, with instances 

 of rupture of the stomach, now and then. I am glad to say that 

 such barbarous methods are falling into disuse in that country. 

 Watering after feeding is particularly dangerous when gram is 

 used ; as gram readily ferments on being soaked in water. 



SYMPTOMS. — The symptoms resemble those of spasmodic colic, 

 except that they are less violent, though much more contimious, 

 and there is considerable distension of the abdomen, which dis- 

 tension is well marked in " the hollow of the flank," immediately 

 in front of the point of the hip. The breathing is difficult, and 

 there is more or less delirium in bad cases. 



Great distension of the abdomen is often a sign of a fatal 

 termination of different diseases, as in superpurgation, for 

 instance. 



Laminitis sometimes ensues after an attack of this form of 

 oolic. 



TREATMENT. — Give the drench recommended on p. 411, or an 

 ounce of chlorodyne in a pint of cold water. I like to give the 

 turpentine and linseed oil drench in the first instance, and if it 

 does not appear to have relieved the symptoms in, say, half an 

 hour, to give the chlorodyne, which may be repeated later on. 

 Or eserine (p. 621) may be tried with advantage. It is well to 

 foment the belly, back-rake, and to give an enema of a gallon of 

 water. Hand-rubbing and fomenting the abdomen will afford 

 some relief. 



Medicines in a solid form, though appropriate in spasmodic oolic, 

 should not, as a rule, be given in flatulent colic. 



If medicines fail to overcome the attack, the intestines should 

 be punctured in the manner described on p. 688 et seq. This 

 operation is a very efficient means for the relief of flatulent oolic. 



Flatulent Distension of the Stomach. 



The return of food, or the belching of gas, from the stomach of 

 the horse, is almost completely prevented by the fact that the 

 calibre of the gullet at its opening into the stomach, is particularly 

 small, and is completely obstructed by folds of mucous membrane. 

 Usually, the dissolved food and any super-abundant gas obtain 

 ready escape from the stomach into the intestine ; the unprepared 

 portion of the food being kept back, by closure of the intestinal 

 orifice due to the irritation which such food causes the powerful 

 muscle (sphincter of the pylorus) which surrooinds it. It may also 

 be closed by the distended stomach pressing on it. The fact of 



