The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-06-11
CoLICs OF HORSE AND MULE.
Types of Malady and What to Do In
Treating Each Kind.
BY DR.. M. Ray Powers, State Veter-
marian and Head Of Veterinary
Division, Clemson College.


| One Of the most common and alarm
ing diseased conditions occurring in
horses and mules is that Of collie.
generally used to denote any
abdominal pain whatever, and it may
readily be inferred that it, therefore,
occurs in a great variety Of diseases.
It is, however, only necessary here to
consider it under two heads, viz,
spasmodic collie and collie due to i'm
FACTION or obstruction Of the bowels.
Spasmodic collie Is probably Of the
most frequent occurrence and consists
of a violent contraction of the muscles
of the intestines, causing intense pain.
1t is usually brought on by giving
large amounts Of cold water to horse
to chilling rains after a hard drive:
sometimes by giving heavy feed OF
green succulent food; and in horses
that are predisposed to it, a sudden
change Of diet may be all that is
necessary to bring on an attack.
The condition is recognized by the
horse suddenly showing symptoms Of
intense pain following some Of the
causes above mentioned: stamping
violently with one hind foot; looking
around at the tanks with an anxious
expression; sweating; lying down sud
denly and rolling In agony, and with
occasional periods Of freedom from
pain followed by similar attacks.
Collie from impaction is a condition
in which there Is a partial or complete
stoppage Of the bowels, and may be
brought on by overlooking the stom-
ach when in a tired out condition and
particularly with dry, innutritious
feed. A faulty condition Of the teeth
may also be a predisposing factor on
account Of imperfect mastication of
the food. This condition Is accom-
panied by constipation and the animal
shows evidences Of a continuous dull
pain as compared with that Of spas
modic collie, moving stif1y, lying down
occasionally and groaning, but with
the absence Of violent movements. It.
also runs longer course usually than
spasmodic collie.
In spasmodic collie a sedative or
narcotic treatment should be resorted
to in order to overcome the violent
contraction and relieve the pain. One
Of the best remedies is fluid extract
Of Cannabis indica, or Indian hemp.
given in doses Of six drains by the
mouth. This brings on drowsiness.
and as a rule, by the time the drowsi-
ness has worn off the collie has disap-
peared. Another SOOQ remedy Is
chloral hydrate given in doses Of one
ounce dissolved in a pint Of water:
or if a hypodermic syringe be availa-
BILE, two grains Of sulphate of NOR
phine may be dissolved in a little
water that has been boiled and al
lowed to cool and injected under the
skin.
With impaction collie, entirely diff
ferent remedies are needed, the OBJ
ject being to unload the intestines Of
the offending material. For this pur-
pose five drains Of aloes dissolved in
a quart Of hot water and conjoined
with one ounce Of Oil of turpentine
and one dram Of fluid extract of nux'
vomica may be given; or If this Is
not conveniently at hand, one and
half pints of linseed oil may be given,
and if there is evidence of much pain
three drains Of Cannabis indica may
also be given. Copious rectal injec-
tons of soap suds are beneficial also.
These remedies will usually suffice,
but if more drastic treatment is neces-
sary it should be entrusted to veter-
marian.