TORSION OF THE DOUBLE COLON 267 



in Figs. 25 and 26, are far more common than those cases 

 where the torsion is complete. I will therefore consider 

 the symptoms as relating to incomplete torsion first. 

 Ignoring the more or less general signs of colic, I will 

 endeavour to dwell on such points as are special to the 

 condition with which we are dealing. Called in to a case 

 of colic torsion, the veterinarian usually finds the animal 

 in pain that is constant. At any rate, if periods of ease 

 are shown at all, they are what we may term ' compara- 

 tive.' There is no stretched-out, comfortable pose, with 

 the semi-somnolence seen in impaction. In what periods 

 of quiet that do occur, as exhibited by freedom from 

 movement, the animal maintains the standing position. 



Even then, a careful watching of the respirations and 

 examination of the pulse, followed by a general inspection 

 of the patient, will reveal the fact that the condition is 

 still serious. For instance, the breathing is laboured and 

 spasmodic, and the pulse, although early in the case 

 bounding and full, is slowly becoming weak, quick, and 

 compressible. The temperature is raised to 103"' or 

 104° F., and the mucous membranes are injected. More 

 ominous sign still — patchy perspirations break out about 

 the body, and are disagreeably forced on one's notice 

 when taking the pulse in the axilla. 



A further grave symptom, and one of use in diagnosis, 

 is the occasional passing of feeces, abnormally soft. The 

 italics here are important. We sometimes get the same 

 irritable emptying of the last portion of the colon, and 

 also of the small colon, in cases of colic impaction, when 

 such impaction is situate anteriorly in the bowel. What 

 is passed in cases of impaction, however, is of normal con- 

 sistence. If it deviates from that at all, it is towards 

 abnormal firmness— well-shaped dung-balls, showing the 

 rounding given to them by the sacculations of the single 



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