This affection may be treated in the same manner as flatulent colic,
aided by warmth and moisture externally. The author has in many cases
cured animals of spasmodic colic with a little peppermint tea, brisk
friction upon the stomach and bowels, and an injection of warm water;
whereas, had the animals been compelled to swallow the usual amount of
gin, saleratus, castor oil, salts, and other nauseous, useless drugs,
they would probably have died. The reader, especially if he is an
advocate of the popular poisoning and blood-letting system, may ask,
What good can a little simple peppermint tea accomplish? We answer,
Nature delights in simples, and in all her operations invites us to
follow her example. The fact is, warm peppermint tea, although in the
estimation of the learned it is not entitled to any confidence as a
therapeutic agent, yet is an efficient anti-spasmodic in the hands of
reformers and common-sense farmers. It is evident that if any changes
are made in the symptoms, they ought to be for the better; yet under the
heroic practice they often grow worse.