596 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
might possibly turn out serviceable in similar affections in horses. 
There was no time to be lost. A pound of the pulv. colchici was 
immediately sent for, with a particular injunction that it be pro¬ 
cured of the best quality. It arrived the day following the thought 
struck us about it, and two drachms of it, made into a ball with 
oatmeal and treacle, were given to the patient morning and even¬ 
ing. By care and coaxing of every kind, the animal, too weak 
and too harassed with pain to continue to take exercise, was sup¬ 
ported for seven days through this trial, and the report made was, 
that, taking his case altogether into consideration, he was better— 
or rather “ less bad”—at the expiration of the week than he was 
at the beginning. Yet, there had been no visible or decided effect 
from the colchicum, and therefore it was resolved—“ kill or cure”— 
to double the doses: half ounces being now prescribed to be taken 
morning and evening. But three of the augmented doses had 
been taken when the patient grew exceeding dull and heavy in 
aspect; loathed altogether his food; evidently felt either increased 
or fresh pain somewhere, it was thought in his abdomen, though 
he neither pawed nor exhibited any other recognisable symptom of 
“ gripes:” the dung, however, 'which had hitherto been dropped in 
balls, was becoming en masse , shewing an unequivocal disposi¬ 
tion to purgation, which indeed before night came on. 
Next day proved the poor patient’s worst. He was very unwell 
indeed, appearing in his flanks as though he were nipped in two; 
moping in one corner of his box, and refusing even to look at food, 
though every procurable variety of provender was offered to him; 
and withal, exhibiting a set-in diarrhoea; while, as though from 
the consequences of the purgation, the swellings in his joints and 
legs are growing rapidly less. In his present condition it was 
evident the purging must, if suffered to continue, inevitably sink 
him. All w r ater was therefore scrupulously abstained from, and 
nought but gruel given him as a substitute. Excessive thirst in 
time brought him to drink the gruel tolerably thick. And in addi¬ 
tion was given to him, morning and evening, a quart of thick gruel 
containing an ounce of the pulv. cretse com. cum opio, through a 
bottle by the mouth: a most safe and excellent medicine in cases 
of diarrhoea or any irritation causing pain and laxness of bowels. 
By this plan of treatment the animal was both alimentarily and 
