COLICS OF THE HORSE. 



the surface of the body. When the weather allows it, it is advisa- 

 ble to walk the animals ; this is particularly to be recommended 

 in cases of chronic colic. Very active movements, a rapid gait, as 

 the trot or galop, are harmful. In violent colics the animals must 

 be left free in a box, and we should not persist in making them walk. 



Rectal exploration must always be performed, either to empty 

 the organ or to obtain information with a view of defining the 

 diagnosis. 



In order to soften the fecal matters and to encourage the peri- 

 staltic movements, we may use clysters, which are administered 

 with a syringe or a clyster- pipe. The infusions should be made 

 by means of Hegar's infusion funnel as improved by Damman. 



Injections of glycerin in the rectum, at first advised for men 

 (Oidtmann and Anacker) have been used in animals (Schindelka, 

 Kattner, etc.) in a dose of 3 to 5 grammes, but their action is purel}^ 

 local, similar to that of soap ; they are not able to excite the peri- 

 staltic movements of the intestine generally. 



The introduction of large quantities of water into the intestinal 

 canal is a therapeutic remedy which is now quite old in veterinary 

 art.^ The efficiency of these monster injections has been greatly ex- 

 aggerated. As much as fifty litres of water have been injected into 

 the intestine per rectum. It is not possible to use more than ten 

 litres with any favorable result, as anything exceeding this quan- 

 tity is immediately rejected.^ In the acute and febrile colics we 

 should give, by preference, injections of cold water; lukewarm 

 water may be used in cases where the intestinal troubles have a 

 tendency to become chronic. Cold or warm compresses on the 

 abdomen may be used at the same time as the injections. 



When the animals roll moderately, the movements they execute 

 are without danger and sometimes they are of advantage; they 

 may, indeed, actually cause the correction of certain kinds of volvu- 

 lus. It is otherwise when they throw themselves down violently^ 

 as though the intensity of the pain made them lose the instinct of 

 self-preservation ; such violent movements may produce rupture of 

 the stomach or intestine, when these organs are distended. In such 

 cases we may use with advantage a subcutaneous injection of 0.^ 

 to 0.5 gramme of hydrochlorate of morphine in a watery solution 

 of 4 : 100. It would be imprudent to give larger doses (one 



1 Lustig: Hannover. Jahresber., 1886. 

 3 Piitz: Putzische Zeitschrift, 1876. 



