COLICS IN THE HORSE 111 



The treatment for reducing torsion in the large bowels 

 is purely mechanical. Behrens has successfully reduced 

 torsion of the left colons (pelvic flexure) in about 60 

 percent of the cases by rolling the patient in the direction 

 of the twist. He recommends the following procedure: 



"Before making the rectal examination for diagnosis in 

 torsion give the patient a clyster of five to ten quarts of 

 cold water. By this means accumulations of feces in the 

 rectum are removed, and to a large degree rupture of this 

 bowel is rendered less liable. The hand and arm of the 

 operator should be thoroughly smeared with soapsuds. 



"The recognition of the many parts of the intestine 

 that are reached through the rectum is made possible by 

 noting the different calibre and anatomical structure of 

 the parts. Mistaking small intestines for the left upper 

 colon and the cecum for the left lower colon is possible. 

 If the left upper colon is distended by gas or solid con- 

 tents it will be found to be larger in calibre than the small 

 bowel. If, however, the bowel is empty one can not dis- 

 tinguish between them. When the small intestines are 

 impacted it will be noted that several folds or loops are 

 pressed toward the pelvic cavity. To distinguish between 

 the left upper and left lower colons it should be borne in 

 mind that the left lower colon is of greater calibre and 

 provided with four bands, while the left upper is smaller 

 and possesses no bands. Mistaking the left lower colon 

 for the cecum, which is very possible, as the calibre and 

 bands are very similar, can as a rule be avoided by noting 

 the direction of the bands, as even when the cecum is 

 displaced its bands may be felt coursing toward the right 

 flank region." 



