470 
W. L. WILLIAMS. 
mass, in which case from the history and symptoms the dis¬ 
placement must have occurred prior to the symptons of colic, 
and the rolling certainly had nothing to do with it. Of in¬ 
tussusception I have observed three cases, one in an adult 
affecting the small intestine, the history unknown, probably 
antedating the colic, and not due to purgatives; the other 
two were ileo-cascal in }^oung foals, cases which I have 
already recorded, due to thrombo-embolic colic, the result of 
the presence of strongylus armatus in the mesenteric arteries. 
Friedberger and Frohner allude to this as a common cause 
of intussusception. From all the evidence at hand it seems 
improbable that intussusception is caused by rolling, nor can 
we believe by regular contractions due to purgatives. It 
seems probable that it is due to irregular intestinal contrac¬ 
tions such as exist to a degree in colic, more perhaps in colic 
interfered with by injudicious doses of morphine, combined 
with purgatives. 
I believe it quite rational to assume that such irregular 
contractions would ensue when colic is interfered with by 
conflicting treatment, by giving two remedies, like opium 
and aloes, the one in paralyzing doses, the other in doses to 
excite peristalsis. This precaution, with as nearly perfect 
freedom of the patient as possible and care to prevent 
gaseous accumulations, we believe will do all that is possible 
to avoid the dangers from these accidents. 
In hernia and pressure from tumors we must rely upon 
surgical interference, but these operations may be made 
easier, safer, and in cases only possible by the previous use of 
narcotics or anaesthetics. 
In colics due to thrombi or emboli we have an obstruction 
to the blood supply which must be relieved by the establish 
ment of sufficient collateral circulation before recovery can 
take place, so our treatment is purely expectant and the re¬ 
sult must depend upon the success or failure of the required 
collateral circulation before fatal lesions have occured in the 
affected parts. We must rely upon those remedies which re¬ 
lieve the pain, without interfering markedly with peristalsis, 
although in most cases it may be safely diminished for a * 
