Symptoms.
The horse begins to shift his position, looks around at his flanks, paws violently, strikes his belly with his feet, and crouches in a peculiar manner, advancing his hind legs under him, he then suddenly lies or rather falls down, and balances himself on his back with his feet resting on his belly. The pain seems to have ceased for a while, and he gets up and shakes himself; he begins to feed, but in a short time the pain returns, and is more violent than before; he heaves at the flanks, breaks out in a profused perspiration, and throws himself more recklessly. The pulse is little affected in the commencement, but as the disease progresses, it becomes full. Legs and ears of a natural temperature. The affection of the strength scarcely perceivable.
Remedy.
Relief may be obtained from motion in this disease. Take
- 1 ounce of turpentine,
- 1 ounce of laudanum,
- ½ pint of gin or good whiskey,
- ½ pint of warm water.
Mix and give it as a drench. Bleed, and if not relieved in half an hour, repeat the dose, rubbing the belly with a stout brush or a smooth rail. If not relieved in 15 or 20 minutes, repeat the dose and continue it until relief is obtained. If the horse be walked about or trotted moderately, it will relieve the spasms. A glyster with warm soap suds should be injected, which may be done by burning the peth out of elder, and filling a bladder with the suds, then tie the bladder on the elder tight and force it into the fundament, occasionally throwing the warm suds in until it operates; if a reasonable portion of it remains, it will do no harm if it does not operate, but will help to relieve the spasms. This should be done immediately, as in most cases no time is to be lost. A glyster of tobacco smoke may be thrown in as a last resort. Keep the horse in a warm stable and give bran mash and plenty of warm or thin gruel for two or three days.
The turpentine, laudanum, gin and warm water were never known to fail if given at the proper time. Should you not have these medicines at hand, give 2½ or 3 ounces of peppermint every 15 or 20 minutes until the horse is relieved; or if you have no peppermint, give same quantity of golden tincture.
The gruel for feeding is made by putting any quantity of bran into a bucket or tub, then pour boiling water over it, so as to scald it thoroughly, and cover it with a cloth until it is cool enough for him to eat.