PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT re 



given with §i each of ether and spirit of chloroform and i pint of 

 linseed oil. Morphine and atropine under the skin are the most 

 certain and rapid remedies. 



A cathartic is generally needed at the earliest possible moment. 

 The kind of cathartic depends to some extent upon the kind of 

 colic (see below). Ordinarily a physic ball or a pint of linseed oil 

 are used. When opium is not required the action of the cathartic 

 is apt to be more certain. In severe colic, barium chloride is often 

 most efficient (see below). Enemata of warm soap suds with 

 manual cleaning of the rectum assist the action of cathartics and 

 should always be used. The skin of the whole trunk should be 

 rubbed briskly with straw and, after this, hot turpentine stupes 

 should be applied. 



Special treatment is indicated for different kinds of colic. 



Spasmodic colic is the most common form, caused by the 

 ingestion of cold water by horses when hot or fatigued, by exposure 

 to cold in the same condition, by improper food, sudden changes 

 in diet or exhaustion. The pain is apt to be remittent with inter- 

 vals of freedom from colic. Loud peristaltic murmurs are often 

 heard. Sometimes in mild cases the attack may be relieved by the 

 use of alcohol (whisky, §iv in a pint of hot water) and external 

 heat and warm enemata. Otherwise give morphine or colic drench 

 as recommended above. A physic in the shape of an aloes ball or 

 pint of linseed oil is also indicated. 



Flatulent colic follows the ingestion of food given to fermenta- 

 tion, as green clover, rank grass, raw potatoes, etc., and occurs in 

 wind suckers. In addition to the use of intestinal antiseptics (see 

 above) and antispasmodics, the one essential consists in puncturing 

 the bowel at the earliest moment that the tympanites is seen to be 

 progressing. The point of election is in the right flank, equidistant 

 from the posterior border of the last rib, from the tip of the lumbar 

 vertebrae, and from the external angle of the ilium. The left 

 flank may be selected, if it is the seat of greater distension, or 



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