264 
COLIC— THE EFFECT OF OPIUM. 
depends on the state of the digestive apparatus at the time of 
administering it, we ought to have it at hand, particularly as we 
can never trace any bad results from its use. 
COLIC— THE EFFECT OF OPIUM. 
By Mr. T. Holford, North wich. 
January 28th y 1834. — I was called in haste to a grey colt, 
two years old, that had been rolling about the stable for upwards 
of six hours. Upon inquiry, I learned that the disease was first 
perceived in the field, from which place he w r as brought to the 
stable. On my entering the stable the animal was found 
stretched out, quite motionless, apparently from exhaustion, 
and every part of him saturated with perspiration. The ears and 
surface of the body cold, but the legs of their natural warmth. 
He does not evince pain from pressure on the abdomen. Pulse 
varying at times, sometimes imperceptible, and at others of its 
natural power, but accelerated. The belly rumbles in every di- 
rection ; when still, he lies on his back, and appears easier in 
that position than any other. No dung has passed from him since 
the attack. On passing the arm up the rectum I could not feel 
any faeces. 
From the length of time that the horse had been ill, and no 
dung being in the rectum, I imagined that there was an ob- 
struction, either from introsusception of the intestines or some 
other cause. 
Treatment . — Fearing the speedy approach of inflammation, 1 
abstracted six quarts of blood, when the young animal was evi- 
dently distressed. I then gave tinct. opii ^iss, ol. tereb. 3Jiv, ol. 
oliv. Jvj, powdered ginger 3i, et powdered aloes £iv. 
An hour and a half after he had taken the medicine he became 
sleepy, and lay motionless, with his legs in the air. Scalding 
flannels were now applied to the abdomen without rousing him 
out of this lethargic state, and clysters were occasionally given. 
In this state he lay nearly an hour, occasionally uttering 
a deep sigh or groan, but evidently in a state of stupor. I then 
struck him on the ears with a whip, and with difficulty made 
him get on his legs ; he gazed around, shook himself, and staled 
an immense quantity of water. 
The pain has apparently left him. Two men were ordered to 
wisp him dry. For two hours he remained sleepy, when he 
gradually became more awake, began to eat a little, and appears 
in every respect recovered. 
