38 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



calcium to lead to the formation of calculi, which by 

 their presence act mechanically as obstructive agents, 

 I do not think we need often consider the water-supply 

 when treating a case of colic. There is one exception 

 of importance : cases where the water is likely to be 

 contaminated by passing through new leaden pipes, or 

 stored in leaden cisterns, or in tanks whose joints have 

 been cemented with a putty composed largely of lead 

 carbonate. 



Since these statements forbid us to regard the water 

 itself as a cause of colic, we are compelled to look deeper 

 into the matter. We must endeavour to trace its ill effects, 

 if any, to the manner or time of its administration. 



Firstly, there is but one mode of allowing it that need 

 be considered at all seriously. Should the water be 

 given excessively cold to an animal greatly heated with 

 exercise ? As there is nothing definitely proved upon 

 this point, it remains largely a matter of common-sense 

 reasoning based upon experience. It must be remem- 

 bered that an animal just returned from violent exertion 

 has had his system greatly depleted of fluid. That this 

 fluid needs replacing is beyond question. Personally, I 

 am led to believe that while the animal is still warm is 

 the best time to allow him to have it. The way I reason 

 it is this : Prolonged muscular exertion has robbed the 

 body of a large amount of combustible material ; this 

 certainly requires to be given back again in the form of 

 food. The animal will not eat sufficiently until his thirst 

 has been satisfied, therefore the water should come first. 



Why not allow him to cool first, then water and after- 

 wards feed him ? That question may be answered thus : 

 After violent exercise the body temperature rapidly sub- 

 sides — at any rate, the feeling of warmth does ; in other 

 words, there is a corresponding reaction. If after this 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



