Colic is occasioned by a want of physiological power in the organs of
digestion, so that the food, instead of undergoing a chemico-vital
process, runs into fermentation, by which process carbonic acid gas is
evolved.
_Symptoms._--The animal is evidently in pain, and appears very restless;
it occasionally turns its head, with an anxious gaze, to the left side,
which seems to be distended more than the right; there is an occasional
discharge of gas from the mouth and anus.
_Treatment._--Give the following carminative:--
Powdered aniseed, half a tea-spoonful.
" cinnamon, " "
To be given in a quart of spearmint tea, and repeated if necessary.
_Another._
Powdered assafoetida, half a tea-spoon.
Thin gruel of slippery elm, 2 quarts.
Oil of aniseed, 20 drops.
To be given at a dose.
If the animal suffers much pain, apply fomentations to the belly, and
give the following injection:--
Powdered ginger, half an ounce.
Common salt, 1 table-spoonful.
Hot water, 1 gallon.