COLIC, in pathology, a painful affection of the intestines, especially of the large bowel or colon, whence the name. The pain is due to spasmodic and irregular contractions of the colon, and is felt chiefly in the region of the navel. It is of a severe twisting character, and comes on in paroxysms, occasionally so severe that the patient rolls and twists about, usually doubled up and grasping his abdomen, and not seldom groaning or crying. Constipation of the bowels usually accompanies colic, and the pain may give rise to vomiting. Often, however, severe colicky pains are the forerunner of looseness of the bowels, caused by some food which has disagreed. The pain may be caused by wind, the discharge of which affords great relief. There is no fever with the attack, but the pulse is usually lowered, and the face pale and anxious-looking. In this respect colic dif fers from inflammatory attacks of the bowels. Pressure on the abdomen generally gives relief in cases of colic, but in cases of inflammation the patient cannot endure pressure. Whether the attack be one of colic or not may readily be learned from the attitude of the sufferer and the fact of his exerting or avoiding pres sure. Treatment consists in applying hot cloths or bags of hot salt across the abdomen. Doses of medicine, such as castor-oil, should also be administered, and a large injection of water at a gentle warmth will probably bring relief. In the case of an adult patient 30 drops of lau danum may be given along with the castor-oil, or shortly after it. Magnesia and dill-water are also used as remedies for colic in young children. What is called biliary or renal colic is caused by the passage of gall-stones or kidney stones toward the bowel or bladder respectively. It occurs oftener in women than in men.
COLIGNY, Gaspard de, French soldier: b. Chatillon-sur-Loing, 16 Feb. 1517; d. Paris, 24 Aug. 1572. After a brilliant military career he was made in 1552 admiral of France. He was distinguished for valor in battle, for strict discipline and for his conquests over the Spaniards, in particular for his defense of Saint Quentin. When Saint Quentin was taken by storm, the admiral was made prisoner. After the death of Henry II, the intrigues of Catha rine de Medici induced him to place himself at the head of the Calvinists against the Guises. He formed so powerful a party that
the Catholic religion in France seemed to be in danger. Conde was more ambitious, enterpris ing, active; Coligny more considerate, prudent and more fit to be the leader of a party; equally unfortunate in war with Conde, but skilled in remedying even what appeared irretrievable losses, he was more to be feared after a defeat than his enemies after a victory. The first bat tle between the Huguenots and Catholics (1562, at Dreux) was lost to the admiral, but he saved his army. When the Duke of Guise was mur dered at the siege of Orleans, he was accused of being author of the murder. The civil war recommenced with increased fury in 1567. Coligny and Conde encountered the Constable Montmorency at Saint Denis. This indecisive action was followed by the battle of Jarnac 1569, which was fatal to the Calvinists. Conde fell and the whole burden of command de volved on Coligny. An advantageous peace seemingly put a stop to this contest 1570. Coligny appeared at court, and was, with his adherents, loaded with favors. Charles IX gave him 100,000 francs as an indemnification for his injuries, together with a scat in the council. From all sides he was warned not to trust to these caresses. As the admiral was leaving the Louvre, 22 Aug. 1572, his right hand and left arm were wounded by a shot from a window. One-Maurenal had fired at him from a building belonging to the monastery of Saint Germain l'Auxerrois, according to the plan of Catharine de Mcdici, probably with the Icnowl edge of the Duke of Guise. Charles testified the deepest sorrow, caused search to be made for the assassin and said to Coligny, °My father, you have the wounds, but I the pain.) This he said at the moment when the massacre of the Protestants was already prepared. The slaughter began on the night of Saint Bar tholomew's, 24 Aug. 1572. The DuIce of Guise hastened with a numerous suite to the house of the admiral. One Behme, or Besme, entered with his drawn sword into the chamber of the old man, pierced him with several stabs and threw the body out of the window into the courtyard. See CONDE, LOUIS I DE BOURBON.