COLICS OF THE OX. 



181 



rhoidalis. The action of these parasites is very variable; they 

 obstruct either the opening of the intestine by forming balls or 

 knots (round- worms and taenia), or they determine traumatic acci- 

 dents, inflammation, ulceration, and even perforation of the gastric 

 or intestinal walls (gastrophilus larvse). However, these latter 

 lesions are generally limited to the mucous membrane. 



Symptoms. Verminous colics are especially common in young 

 animals. Their symptoms offer nothing very particular. Usually 

 they are not well marked, and appear in paroxysms. In irritable 

 mares the hemorrhoidal gastrophile fixed upon the rectal mucous 

 membrane may determine violent pains, accompanied by rabiform 

 manifestations (Eletti). These colics generally take a chronic 

 course ; we observe conditions of simple digestive troubles and of 

 more or less intense suffering. But if the stomach is perforated, 

 or if the intestinal obstruction is complete, the colics become sub- 

 acute and the patients die rapidly. 



In general, the prognosis of verminous colics is not very serious. 

 They provoke death only in exceptional cases, and their cure is 

 easily obtained as soon as their nature is revealed. 



Treatment consists in the administration of vermifuges. Tartar 

 emetic in a solution of water, in doses of 12 to 15 grammes daily, 

 arsenous acid (2 to 4 grammes), essence of turpentine (80 to 150 

 grammes), with bitters, and the sulphate of soda, are the most 

 advisable agents. The gastrophile larvae which are located in the 

 rectum may be detached by hand or checked by means of injec- 

 tions of soap-water, or a mild solution of petroleum, benzine, or 

 creosote. 



COLICS OF THE OX. 



1. COLICS DUE TO INVAGINATION. 



Etiology and symptoms. Intestinal invagination is the most 

 frequent cause of colics in the ox. It is much more common in 

 this animal than in the horse. It is ascribed to colds and to violent 

 efforts on ground which has an irregular surface, which causes dis- 

 turbance of the peristaltic movements. 



Invagination is sometimes latent during some hours following its 

 production ; the complications which arise may develop slowly ; but 

 cases of this kind are rare. Ordinarily its symptoms are quite 

 expressive ; the animals are suddenly affected by more or less 



