134 TREATMENT OF COLIC, ETC. 
pleased with the confidence he expresses in aloes as an 
antispasmodic, nor would I say one word to weaken that 
expression of confidence, but I must frankly confess that 
I have not been near to the same extent so successful in 
these cases as *Mr. Gamgee, when he says, “ he has not lost a 
single horse by colic, or other acute intestinal affection, 
during thirty-two years, when his instructions have been 
properly attended to.^^ But if we mean to keep pace with the 
times, and wish to progress with the spirit of the age, we 
dare not fly in the face of facts. Mr. Gamgee places his 
dependence upon aloes; I place mine upon Liq. Ammoniae 
Fortis, given in half-drachm doses in a pint of warm ale or 
water. If my case prove a protracted one, I increase the 
dose to one drachm, always being very particular in the 
measuring of it, and shaking it well up whilst giving it. I 
believe its action to be almost electrical, and that it is the 
finest antispasmodic we possess. 
Glysters .—I possess one of Mr. Joseph Gamgee’s enema 
funnel-tubes, and have much pleasure in bearing my testi¬ 
mony to its simplicity and great utility. It can accomplish 
everything any other glyster instrument can do. I fully 
coincide with him that large quantities of fluid are very 
objectionable, and also that force is injurious. I would 
rather pass the injection gently in, just as the rectum and 
anus are retracting. The glyster then appears to be sucked 
in, and I believe it can pass up the whole length of the 
rectum; but I also hold in very high esteem the tobacco- 
smoke, exhibited by means of Read’s pump. 
External applications *—I differ with Mr. Gamgee on this 
point of treatment. I am quite satisfied of the great benefit 
that often results from mustard applications in abdominal 
affections, and 1 have likewise the very highest opinion of 
hot fomentations. 
Bleeding .—It is the custom in this part of the country to 
bleed in cases of colic and enteritis, and, although I am 
averse to bloodletting in my general practice, still I always 
have recourse to it in colic, when I find that other treatment 
fails to give relief. 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
I particularly wish to call attention to two points of con¬ 
sideration in the case I have described above. The one is 
the length of time the animal was ill, and the other the 
cause of death; to be followed by sundry suggestions I am 
about to make to meet such-like cases. 
