148 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



inflammation of the mucous membrane or even laceration of the 

 organ. 



Prognosis. The prognosis must be reserved at the outset, for it 

 is impossible to formulate it with certainty. Colics appearing most 

 benign (rheumatic colic) may be complicated by volvulus ; and, 

 according to a general belief, the gravity of a case of colic may vary 

 from one moment to another in the same animal. We can there- 

 fore only express our opinions with some reserve. 



Improvement is made apparent by diminution of the pain, by 

 more regular distribution of the temperature of the body, the cessa- 

 tion of the sweats, the improvement of the pulse, the reappearance of 

 peristaltic movements, an abundant emission of excrements and gas ; 

 also by the lessening of fever, and return of the appetite and thirst. 



Among the unfavorable symptoms which may induce us to fear 

 gastro-enteritis, peritonitis, rupture of the stomach, the intestine, or 

 the diaphragm, we must point out: an accelerated, hard, small, 

 evasive pulse ; the elevation of temperature, intensity of pains, cold 

 and profuse sweats, chilled condition of the extremities, alteration 

 of the physiognomy, persistence of constipation, complete suppres- 

 sion of peristaltic movements, swelling, dyspnœa, and vomiting. 



General differential diagnosis. Colics must be distinguished 

 from abdominal affections having their seat in organs other than 

 the stomach and intestine. We will now glance at the morbid con- 

 ditions with which they may be confounded. 



1. Rheumatic hemoglobinuria. Its sudden appearance after a 

 cold, the intensity of the suffering it produces, the cessation of 

 peristaltic movements, also disturbance of the functions of defeca- 

 tion, micturition, and sweating, the dyspnœa and disturbance of 

 the circulatory apparatus which accompany it, make its symp- 

 tomatic picture very similar to that of ordinary colic. But, in 

 these latter cases, paresis or paralysis of the hind quarters, so char- 

 acteristic in rheumatic hemoglobinuria, do not exist ; we do not 

 observe any painful myositis, there is no hemoglobin free in the 

 blood, and dissolution of this liquid is not appreciable. Finally, in 

 colics, the horses lie down and stand up again frequently, while in 

 rheumatic hemoglobinuria the act of standing is almost always im- 

 possible. 



2. The pains of parturition are expressed by agitation, stamp- 

 ings, complaints, and by frequent decubitus of short duration, etc, 

 — symptoms common to colics and to parturition. However, the 



