The duration of flatulent colic cannot be absolutely stated; it may continue for days, it may be cured in a single hour. However, should the abdomen be rapidly distended, then the termination will be sooner reached; but be the attack quick or slow, neither food nor water should be allowed during its continuance. The groom, while the disease lasts, should occasionally sponge out the eyes, mouth, nostrils, etc. Indeed, humanity would dictate such relief during every serious affection. Subsequent to recovery, feed for a few days on gruel and mashed oats; give a ball night and morning, composed of extract of gentian and powdered quassia, of each a sufficiency; of extract of belladonna and of sulphate of copper, half a drachm. Continue this medicine and the above food until the stomach has regained its tone.
Is flatulent colic a disease provoked by domestication? Certainly! The wild horse would have to travel for his food; in domestication it is placed ready gathered before the animal. Besides, the free animal being ever with his provender, the temptation to gorge the stomach would be absent; moreover, the untrained creature is protected by its instincts, which the care of man destroys. Little, however, is thought of this; the fact even may be unknown to the great majority of educated horse proprietors. The sense of repletion is no longer indicated with such force as to warn the stabled animal. The responsibility thus cast upon the master has possibly never occurred to the mass of mankind. So entirely has the notion of any duty being due to the animal been ignored by society that, notwithstanding nature in the above fact asserts the obligation, its announcement most probably will be received with laughter.
CHAPTER IX.
THE URINARY ORGANS—THEIR ACCIDENTS AND THEIR DISEASES.
NEPHRITIS OR INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS.
THE straddling gait is not peculiar to any one disorder. It denotes no more than the region in which the affection is to be sought; but it does not characterize any special disease. Therefore so general a trait is placed at the head of the chapter treating of ailments confined to the urinary organs, so that he who perceives the horse assume this position may at once recognize that part of the body in which the disorder resides.
