86 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



Acute Subjective and Objective Symptoms in Subacute 

 Colic. — It will appear odd, I confess, to talk of the oc- 

 currence of acute symptoms in subacute colic, and yet 

 we must be prepared to admit that the frequent and 

 rapid recovery of animals showing acute symptoms suf- 

 ficiently negatives the idea of their ailment being of such 

 an acute variety as twist, etc. Without attempting to 

 argue that spontaneous recovery from twist, or other 

 serious condition, is impossible, we may, with every 

 regard for logic, allow that symptoms of an acute nature 

 may be observed in subacute colic. The pain becomes 

 much more violent. The animal walks round and round 

 his box. The ears and extremities grow deathly cold. 

 Cold, patchy perspirations bedew the underneath surface 

 of the abdomen, and break out between the forearms and 

 thighs, while the expression becomes anxious to an 

 alarming degree. Tympany becomes much more notice- 

 able ; the animal reels in his walk, and casts himself 

 down with such violence as to almost resemble a fall. 

 The pulse is increased in frequency, and is not so full to 

 the fingers. The visible mucous membranes become in- 

 jected, and appear of a deep red hue. Frequently, too, 

 in this special form of colic, the membranes are tinged 

 with yellow, reminding one of the early stages of jaundice. 



Such are the usual symptoms of intestinal impaction, 

 and their average duration may be anything from twelve 

 or fifteen to twenty-four hours. The longest period that 

 I myself remember an animal suffering, and ultimately 

 recovering, is eight days. In fatal cases forty-eight 

 to thirty-six hours usually sees the end. 



Diagnosis. — I am fully persuaded that this is the 

 most easily diagnosed of all our cases of colic, and con- 

 cerning it a mistake ought seldom or never to be made. 

 Such a thing, however, as a diagnostic symptom is not 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



