FLATULENT COLIC, ETC. 203 
The duration of flatulent colic cannot be absolutely stated; it may 
continue for days, it may be cured in a single hour. However, should 
the abdomen be rapidly distended, then the termination will be sooner 
reached; but be the attack quick or slow, neither food nor water should 
be allowed during its continuance. The groom, while the disease lasts, 
should occasionally sponge out the eyes, mouth, nostrils, ete. Indeed, 
humanity would dictate such relief during every serious affection. Sub- 
sequent to recovery, feed for'a few days on gruel and mashed oats; give 
a ball night and morning, composed of extract of gentian and powdered 
quassia, of each a sufficiency; of extract of belladonna and of sulphate 
of copper, half a drachm. Continue this medicine and the above food 
until the stomach has regained its tone. 
Is flatulent colic a disease provoked by domestication? Certainly! 
The wild horse would have to travel for his food; in domestication it is 
placed ready gathered before the animal. Besides, the free animal being 
ever with his provender, the temptation to gorge the stomach would be 
absent; moreover, the untrained creature is protected by its instincts, 
which the care of man destroys. Little, however, is thought of this; 
the fact even may be unknown to the great majority of educated horse 
proprietors. The sense of repletion is no longer indicated with such 
force as to warn the stabled animal. The responsibility thus cast upon 
the master has possibly never occurred to the mass of mankind. So 
entirely has the notion of any duty being due to the animal been ignored 
by society that, notwithstanding nature in the above fact asserts the 
obligation, its announcement most probably will be received with 
laughter. 
