BLOWN, or COLIC. Undue distention of the stomach, from fermentation of food, as wet grass, bad fodder, musty hay, ergoty, or even sound grain eaten in undue quantities, causing the liberation of gas faster than it can be passed off, is usually termed hoven in cattle, and also blast, blown, colic and wind-dropse in farm animals. In cattle and sheep thc trouble is in the third stomach, and if relief is not given, often ends in death. There will be swelling of the belly on the left side. The bowels will be torpid and constipated, the breathing difficult, the eyes wild, with other indications of intense pain. If the distension has extended to both sides, the danger is imminent. A trocar, or in lieu thereof, a sharp pointed pen-knife, should be thrust into the rumen, where the swelling is greatest, and the opening kept apart by a silver tube, or a large quill thrust in the opening, to allow the escape of the gas. In eases not so severe, pressing and kneading of the stomach, to force the gas up the gullet, may give relief, or a half inch rubber tube well oiled, and furnished with a button of wool also well oiled, may be carefully worked down into the stomach. As a stimulant, one drachm of green mustard and one ounce of whisky, mixed in a little water, may be given by allowing it to trickle down slowly, to insure its safe passage into the third stomach. This may be repeated as may be deemed necessary. If this does not give relief. four drachms of the solution of potash, and one ounce of lard-oil and of com mon salt may be mixed in a gill of water, and he given. Preventives are, not to turn stock into flush pastures wet with dew when hungry.
Sheep may have one quarter of the above dose. Colic or gripes in the horse must not be con founded with this affection. It is a contraction of the muscular coats of the stomach, and is caused by bad food, exhaustion, drinking cold water, change of food, and various other causes.
Intestinal colic, is shown by severe pain, look ing at the flanks, pawing, lying down, rolling, and then suddenly getting up. The pulse and breathing are quick, and there are sometimes small discharges, both of dung and water. The bladder being generally distended. The most prompt means is the injection under the skin, of ten grains of morphia by means of a hypodermic syringe, and repeated in one hour if necessary. Give a ball by the mouth of five to ten drachms of powdered aloes. (See article Ball, or Bolus.) Assist this with an injection of half a pint of tur pentine mixed with one quart of soapsuds. Avoid all dosing with alkaline drenches so much in vogue with the ignorant. In simple cases, one ounce each of chloroform, laudanum and sulphuric ether, and eight ounces of linseed oil will answer, if aided by the injection as given above. If there is much gas and swelling, give the following: Mild spirits of ammonia and sul phuric ether, of each one ounce, and powdered aloes one-half ounce; mix in a pint of tepid water, and-give at one dose. Gentle walking exercige will also tend to give relief and assist in the action of the medicines.