nditions differ so much in their causation and
their nature, it is manifestly absurd to treat them alike and to expect
the same drugs or procedures to relieve them all. Therefore, it is
important that, so far as possible, the various diseased states that are
so roughly classed together as colic shall be separated and
individualized in order that appropriate treatments may be prescribed.
With this object in view, colics will be considered under the following
headings: (1) Engorgement colic, (2) obstruction colic, (3) flatulent or
tympanitic colic, (4) spasmodic colic. Worm colic is discussed under the
heading "Gastrointestinal parasites," page 90.

The general symptoms of abdominal pain, and therefore of colic, are
restlessness, cessation of whatever the horse is about, lying down,
looking around toward the flank, kicking with the hind feet upward and
forward toward the belly, jerky switching of the tail, stretching as
though to urinate, frequent change of position, and groaning. In the
more intense forms the horse plunges about, throws himself, rolls,
assumes unnatural positions, as sitting on the haunches, and grunts
loudly. Usually the pain is not constant, and during the intermissions
the horse may eat and appear normal. During the period of pain sweat is
poured out freely. Sometimes the horse moves constantly in a circle. The
respirations are accelerated, and usually there is no fever.

ENGORGEMENT COLIC.--This form of colic consists in an overloading of the
stomach with feed. The horse may have been overfed or the feed may have
collected in the stomach through failure of this organ to digest it and
pass it backward into the intestines. Even a normal quantity of feed
that the horse is unaccustomed to may cause disease. Hence a sudden
change of feed may produce engorgement colic. Continued full rations
while the horse is resting for a day or two or working too soon after
feeding may serve as a cause. New oats, corn, or hay, damaged feed, or
that which is difficult of digestion, such as barley or beans, may
incite engorgement colic. This disease may result from having fed the
horse twice by error or from its having escaped and taken an
unrestricted meal from the grain bin. Ground feeds that pack together,
making a sort of dough, may cause engorgement colic if they are not
mixed with cut hay. Greedy eaters are predisposed to this disease.

_Symptoms._--The horse shows the general signs of abdominal pain, which
may be