w of the commoner causes of the trouble, it
will be clear that colic is merely a symptom of disease, not a disease
in itself, and that no diagnosis has been made until the cause of the
pain has been determined.

Intestinal colic is paroxysmal, usually both beginning and ending
suddenly. The pain is generally referred to the neighbourhood of the
umbilicus, and may radiate all over the abdomen. It varies in intensity
from a slight momentary discomfort to a pain so severe as to cause the
patient to shriek or even to break out into a cold clammy sweat. It is
usually relieved by pressure, and this point is one which aids in the
differential diagnosis between a simple colic and peritonitis, the pain
of the latter being increased by pressure. But should the colic be due
to a malignant growth, or should the intestines be distended with gas,
pressure will probably increase the pain. The temperature is usually
subnormal, but may be slightly raised, and the pulse is in proportion.

In the treatment of simple colic the patient must be confined to bed,
hot fomentations applied to the abdomen and a purge administered, a few
drops of laudanum being added when the pain is exceptionally severe. But
the whole difficulty lies in making the differential diagnosis. Acute
intestinal obstruction (ileus) begins just as an attack of simple colic,
but the rapid increase of illness, frequent vomiting, anxious
countenance, and still more the condition of the pulse, warn a trained
observer of the far more serious state. Appendicitis and peritonitis, as
also the gastric crises of locomotor ataxy, must all be excluded.

COLIGNY, GASPARD DE (1519-1572), admiral of France and Protestant
leader, came of a noble family of Burgundy, who traced their descent
from the 11th century, and in the reign of Louis XI. were in the service
of the king of France. His father, Gaspard de Coligny, known as the
marechal de Chatillon (d. 1522), served in the Italian wars from 1495 to
1515, and was created marshal of France in 1516. By his wife, Louise de
Montmorency, sister of the future constable, he had three sons: Odet,
cardinal de Chatillon; Gaspard, the admiral; and Francis, seigneur
d'Andelot; all of whom played an important part in the first period of
the wars of religion. At twenty-two young Gaspard came to court, and
there contracted a friendship with Francis of Guise. In the campaign of
1543 Coligny distinguished himself greatly, and was wounded at the
s