HOW TO TREAT COLIC

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1403, 19 January 1899, Page 4

HOW TO TREAT COLIC

Colic is of two kinds—spasmodic or cramp colic, and flatulent or windy colic. In tho spasmodic form there is contrac tioc or spasm of a portion of the intestines. The contraction is due to indigestible food, large drinks of cold water when the animal is heated, chills, cold rains, intestinal parasites, concretions, and sudden changes of weather. Spasmodic colic always appears suddenly. If feeding, the animal stops, moves about, stamps, looks round at his flanks, and is generally uneasy. As the pain increases ho paws the ground, throws himself down, rolls, and gets up again. There is usually an interval of ease, uuring which he may resume feeding. In a short time tho spasms return, and then pass off again. As the attack progresses the intervals of ease become shorter. Horses affected with this form of colic become very violent during the spasms of intense pain throwing themselves on the ground, rolling from side to side, and jumping up only to throw themselves down again. Ii the animal is exceedingly violent he should be restrained, as he will be very liable to rupture some of his internal organs. Animals suffering from spasmodic colic make repeated attempts to pass urine, but only a small quantity is evacuated owing to the bladder being so frequently emptied. The straining to micturate is frequently mistaken by the stableman as being due to some form of kidney or bladder affection j. but such is

not the case, as diseases of theso organs in the horse are extremely rare. The treatment of spasmodic colic demands anti-spasmodic and anodyne remedies, such as laudanum, chlorodyne, and chloral hydrate. One or two ounces of laudanum mixed in half a pint of linseed oil is a very useful remedy, as is also loz cf chloral hydrate dissolved in a pint of water. If relief is not obtained in one hour to one hour and a hair the dose may be repeated. Blankets dipped into very hot water and well wrung out may be applied to the abdomen and covered over with, dry rugs, or the abdomen may be stimtdated with liniment or mustard and water. Injection of tepid water, to which some soap has been added, are sometimes of great use. If an enema syringe is not available, a piece of ordinary gar-den-hose or lead pipe will suffice. In the use of these rough and ready appliances great care must be taken so as to avoid injuring the delicate lining membranes of the passage. One end of the tube should be inserted into the rectum and the other raised to a level over tne animal's croup ; into this end an ordinary,tin dish should then be fitted, in order to facilitate the pouring of the clyster. The spasmodic form of colic frequently terminates in inflamation of the bowels. The flatulent form of the diseaso is usually dependent on long fasting, or the consumption of green clover, new hay or oats, potatoes; it also arises from diseased or irregular teeth, crib biting, wind sucking, and, in fact, anything that will produce indigestion. The difference in the symptoms between this and tho spasmodic form is that it does not come on so suddenly, and that when pain starts it is continuous. Tho abdomen becomes enlarged, and if percussed in front of the angle of the hip, a drum-like sound is heard. As the swelling increases, the breathing becomes laboured, and unless relief is obtained, tho animal dies from asphyxia. In treating flatulent colic it is always well to give antiacids and alkalies, combined with stimulants, to neutralise the gases formed; but it must not be forgotten that the cause is some irritant, which must bo got rid of, and which can only be done by giving a sharp purgative. A potent antiacid, and one which is to be found in almost every house, is bicarbonate of soda (bread soda). This, given in from 2oz to 4oz doses, is very beneficial. Ilyposulphate of soda and carbonate of ammonia/—the former in loz to 2oz doses, and the latter Joz to £oz doses— are also of great service. The hot fomentations recommended in the treatment of spasmodic colic are also indicated here, and afford, much relief. This form is much more fatal than spasmodic, and demands prompt and persistent treatment.—" Farmer's Gazette " (Dublin).