102 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



have used it on several occasions, I have not been 

 sufficiently impressed by the results obtained to substitute 

 it for the combination of eserine and pilocarpine. 



(h) Sedatives. — Our choice of these is a large one, 

 but before saying more I would ask : ' Should we give 

 sedatives at all in obstructive colic?' Personally, I 

 think we should not. I know that in saying so I am 

 opposed to a large number of practitioners, but still, 

 after the experience of a very large number of cases, 

 such is my conviction. In the horse I am convinced 

 we have a type of colic to deal with that can in no 

 way whatever be compared with the same disorder in 

 the human subject ; and when reading the report of a 

 case, nothing gives me greater annoyance than to find 

 the veterinary writer trying, in conclusion, to bolster 

 up his theories, arguments, and treatment with extracts 

 from books on human medicine. As a profession, we 

 are undoubtedly largely indebted to the medical for 

 much kind help afforded us in the first tottering steps of 

 our babyhood. Now, however, we can and must stand 

 alone. We have here a subject that fairly allows us to 

 do so. It needs a discinct and totally different line of 

 thought from that the medical profession can supply us 

 with in order to enable us to properly grapple with it. 

 There is still room for special research of the most pains- 

 taking order. What is wanted is a long array of con- 

 secutive cases, with notes and remarks taken on the 

 spot, and not afterwards altered and enlarged in order to 

 fit in with some preconceived idea. In the tabulation of 

 cases, points invariably strike one that would otherwise 

 be missed — points of value and interest that only a 

 method like that will show up. 



Think for a moment. Think that immediately we 

 give a sedative, especially if that sedative be opium, 

 peristalsis is hindered, if not stopped altogether, for a 

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