360 THE HORSE. 



that part, which will hasten its operation. The diet should be con- 

 fined to thin gruel or bran mashes, and no hay should be allowed 

 until the severity of the attack has abated. 



To distinguish this disease from colic is of the highest import- 

 ance, and for this purpose it will be necessary to describe the 

 symptoms of the latter disease, so as to compare the two together 



COLIC. 



In THIS DISEASE there is spasm of the muscular coat of the 

 intestines, generally confined to the caecum and colon. Various 

 names have been given to its different forms, such as the fret, the 

 gripes, spasmodic colic, flatulent colic, &c, but they all display the 

 above feature, and are only modifications of it, depending upon 

 the- cause which has produced it. In spasmodic colic, the bowels 

 are not unnaturally distended, but in flatulent colic their distension 

 by gas brings on the spasm, the muscular fibres being stretched to 

 so great an extent as to cause them to contract irregularly and 

 with a morbid action. Sometimes, when the bowels are very cos- 

 tive, irritation is established as an effort of nature to procure the 

 dislodgment of the impacted faecal matters, and thus a third cause 

 of the disease is discovered. The exact nature and cause aro 

 always to be ascertained from the history of the case, and its 

 symptoms, and as the treatment will especially be conducted with 

 a view to a removal of the cause, they are of the highest import- 

 ance. The symptoms in all cases of colic, by which it may be 

 distinguished from the last-described disease, are as follows : In 

 both acute pain is manifested by stamping, looking at the flanks, 

 and rolling; but in enteritis the pain is constant, while in colic, 

 there are intervals of rest, when the horse seems quite easy, and 

 often begins to feed. In both the poor animal strikes at his belly; 

 but in the former he takes great care not to touch the skin, while 

 in the latter (colic) he will often bring the blood by his desperate 

 efforts to get rid of his annoyance. In enteritis the belly is hot 

 and exquisitely tender to the touch, but in colic it is not unnatur- 

 ally warm, and gradual pressure with a broad surface, such as the 

 whole hand, always is readily borne, and generally affords relief. 

 The pulse also is little affected in colic ; and, lastly, the attaek is 

 very much more sudden than in peritoneal inflammation. 



Such are the general signs by which a case of colic may be 

 distinguished from inflammation of the bowels, but beyond this it 

 is necessary to investigate whether it is pure spasmodic colic, or 

 produced by flatulence, or by an obstruction in the bowels. 



