Colic in Horses 267 
digestion, the pain is usually continuous and moderate, 
not coming on in severe and intermittent attacks, as 
in colic. 
The treatment is the same as for mild indigestion, 
except that the Jamaica ginger dose may be repeated 
every three hours. If the horse is in much pain, an 
ounce of laudanum may be given two or three times 
daily. Laxative and easily digested food, with careful 
exercise, are needed as soon as the horse recovers. 
COLIC IN HORSES 
Indigestion and colic are the most common digestive 
diseases of the horse. Colic occurs in two forms: 
spasmodic, or cramp colic, and flatulent, or wind colic. 
Spasmodic or cramp colic is a violent and painful 
contraction of the muscular coats of the bowels. It 
is usually caused by some irritant in the bowels, such 
as undigested food, or cold water when the horse is 
tired from a long hard drive, exposure to cold which 
chills the animal, a lack of sufficient exercise, sudden 
changes of diet, especially from dry to green food, or 
a large amount of bulky, indigestible food in the 
bowels. 
The pain comes on suddenly and is severe. The 
horse stops, points toward the flank with his nose, 
kicks at his belly, or throws himself down violently 
and rolls. The breathing is rapid, the pulse-beats are 
increased in number and the animal sweats profusely. 
The temperature may go up a degree or two as a result 
of the pain and exercise. In standing, the horse fre- 
