THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XXIX, 
No. 338. 
FEBRUARY, 1856. 
Fourth Series, 
No. 14. 
Communications and Cases. 
ON PURGATIVES AND CLYSTERS IN THE 
TREATMENT OF SPASMODIC COLIC IN THE 
HORSE. 
By Joseph Gamgee, M.R.C.V.S., London. 
At the time when I entered on my professional career, 
upwards of thirty years since, oil of turpentine was consi- 
dered the specific in cases of colic. For aught I know, it is 
still held in almost as much repute by some, though by many 
it has been discarded for what is believed to be the more 
scientific antispasmodic draught, namely, ammonia, in some 
diluted form, nitric or sulphuric ether, and tincture of opium. 
I never followed the practice of prescribing for the relief 
of a symptom, without attempting the removal of its cause. 
The irritating contents of the alimentary canal, inducing 
griping pains, if allowed to remain, must necessarily keep up 
the morbid condition of the bowels, and if anti-spasmodics 
exert a hidden influence in some way, they are not in reality 
salutary, but, at most, methods of momentary relief. 
The chief cause of spasmodic colic in the horse was, and 
often is, supposed to be a drink of cold water, forgetting that 
this is merely an adjunct to other agencies, such as an im- 
proper quantity of deteriorated food, inducing indigestion, 
constipation, and laying the foundation not only for spasms, 
but also inflammation of the intestines, and other compli- 
cations. The anti-spasmodics, therefore, under the circum- 
stances, are as ineffectual and prejudicial in the horse as the 
Godfrey’s cordial in the infant, and the spirituous liquors of 
the self-prescribing dram-drinker. 
XXIX. 
9 
