COLICS FROM OVERLOADING. 



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their termiDation favorable. As a rule they last but a few hours, 

 sometimes only a quarter of an hour or half an hour. When last- 

 ing more than twelve hours some very serious complications may 

 step in. Among these, volvulus is the most common. 



Differential diagnosis. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish 

 nervous colics from thrombo-embolic colics. Bollinger thinks it 

 not always possible to establish the difference. However, the 

 diagnosis can be based upon the history, the etiological data, and 

 the appearance of colic after a cold. 



Treatment. We must resort to anti-spas modics. Generally we 

 use morphine. This agent is a true specific for uervous colics, 

 which oftentimes disappear shortly after its administration. Mor- 

 phine not only puts a stop to the painful contractions of the intes- 

 tine, but has also the advantage of preventing volvulus. Hydro- 

 chlorate of morphine is given in doses of 0.3 to 0.5 gramme in 

 subcutaneous injections; we generally use a 4:100 solution. 

 Sometimes the colics cease almost immediately ; it is rarely neces- 

 sary to resort to a second injection. 



The other anaesthetics or narcotics (belladonna, hyoscyamus, 

 aconite, ether, chloroform) have become useless since the very favor- 

 able results of morphine have been established. 



The hot beverages prepared with chamomile, peppermint, vale- 

 rian, and elder, possess a certain anti-spasmodic action, due to the 

 essential oils contained in these plants, and which, like camphor 

 and asafœtida, act through evaporation in the digestive canal. But 

 all these drinks must give place to morphine, which produces much 

 more rapid effects and which can be given without any danger. 

 Eseriue is absolutely counter-indicated. 



Externally, we should make energetic frictions with essence of 

 turpentine and spirits of camphor (1 : 10-20). The patients should 

 be kept warm. Cold compresses and cold injections only increase 

 the contractions ; hot infusions, on the contrary, exercise a very 

 salutary influence by their quieting and anti-spasmodic action. Rest 

 is preferable to exercise. 



Colics from Overloading". 



Symptoms. We recognize colic from overloading of the stomach 

 by the length of duration of the pain, by the frequency of the 

 attacks, and the rapid and considerable aggravation. The respira- 

 tion is laborious, the abdomen swollen ; the animals take unusual 



