COLICS OF THE HORSE. 



149 



examioation of the genital organs, of the teats, and of the abdomen, 

 the course of the symptoms and their periodicity, permit us in all 

 cases to make a correct diagnosis. 



3. Retention of urine, produced by paralysis of the bladder 

 (detrusor) by calculi, tumors, etc., is often taken for true colics by 

 the non-professional. In the latter, the pressure exerted upon the 

 bladder by the distended intestines provokes efforts at micturition 

 without the bladder being full. Catheterization of the bladder or 

 rectal expk^ration always gives us very accurate information. We 

 have also to point out that retention of the urine is extremely rare 

 in the horse, and that the function of the digestive apparatus is not 

 at all influenced. 



4. Cystitis. In this affection the modifications of the urine (the 

 presence of epithelial cells, pus-cells, phosphatic crystals), also the 

 sensibility of the bladder to the pressure of the rectum, dysuria, and 

 the integrity of the gastro-intestinal canal, constitute facts sufficient 

 to establish the diagnosis. 



5. Metritis. Information gained as to parturition or abortion, 

 the muco-purulent discharge through the vulva, the sensitiveness of 

 the uterus, with the persistence of these symptoms, are sufficiently 

 characteristic of metritis. 



6. Changes of position of the uterus (torsion, prolapsus, inversion, 

 and constriction). Attentive examination of the patient permits us 

 to recognize these conditions. Only partial or incomplete changes 

 in the shape or position of the uterus could be mistaken for colics. 



7. Strangulated hernias (abdominal, umbilical, or inguinal) always 

 produce very violent colic. The first two are expressed by evident 

 objective symptoms, and it is only necessary to make a comparative 

 examination of the scrotum, the inguinal canal and ring in stal- 

 lions, or even geldings, in order to immediately recognize the en- 

 tanglement of an intestinal loop in the vaginal sheath. 



8. Peritonitis is hard to distinguish from colic. Like the latter, 

 it sometimes assumes a rheumatic character, and then the diagnosis 

 is very embarrassing. It is otherwise with peritonitis succeeding 

 a surgical operation (laparotomy, castration, herniotomy), or when 

 it occurs consecutively to nephritis, cystitis, or metritis. When it 

 complicates colic, we may recognize or at least suspect it by taking 

 into account the intensity of the fever, the character of the pulse, 

 which is always accelerated and small, also the weakness and more 

 or less marked prostration of the patients. 



