RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 95 
and the probable quantity partaken of by them, from which, 
probably, also we might account for the recovery. 
I have read with interest your remarks upon the subject at 
page 423, for July, 1859, which tend greatly to favour the 
view already taken of the above cases; but I hope to have an 
opportunity of practically testing the effects of the plant 
under different or modified circumstances, the result of which 
I shall forward for publication. 
If any of my brethren should be able to institute any 
experiments of the above kind, I trust they will record them 
also. 
COLIC. 
During the past year various opinions have been expressed 
on the treatment of this complaint, subject, no doubt, to the 
views of the practitioner as to its real pathology. Each 
article will amply remunerate the reader for a reperusal. 
“Argus,” at page 13, in the January number for 1863, 
reasons well and plausibly in reference to the treatment of colic 
by aloes, as advocated by Mr. G-amgee. He does not object 
to their use when symptoms of constipation indicate the ne¬ 
cessity of purgatives, but questions, and wisely I think, the pro¬ 
priety of relying solely upon this drug in every case of colic. 
He sums up his remarks by the powerful observation— “ That 
cases [pure colic, I argue) often present themselves in which it 
would he injudicious to use this drug, if not absolutely danger¬ 
ous .” And further —“ In very simple cases a hall of camphor 
and ginger is all that is required to set the animat right . 
Why, then, should we give from five to eight drachms of aloes ?f 
I have italicised the extracted sentences, because I think 
particular attention should be directed to them. 
With regard to the employment of aloes as an internal 
remedy for colic, I should infer that Mr. Gamgee, as stated 
by Mr. Greaves [vide Veterinarian, p. 132, March, 1863) 
relies upon their effects as much, if not principally, as an anti- 
spasmodic. Mr. Gamgee, like a true champion of liberty, 
warmly admires an opinion in which he feels he is not bound 
to coincide. Now, had I not, in the spirit of search, care¬ 
fully contrasted the specific virtues of both lines of practice, 
I should not, perhaps, have felt so disposed to say a word 
about colic; but after some years of trial, I have come to a 
decision as to its treatment, which not only is highly suc¬ 
cessful, but also very effective, speedy, and satisfactory, at 
least in my hands. I have no faith in “ Parr's Life-pills,” or 
any such medicament, which are set forth as a “ Cure-all ” 
