joints, and in passing through them, fractured the end of the bones, it will then be found for the most part impossible to effect a cure, or even to save the life of the patient, and therefore it is the best and most humane course to destroy the animal to save him from pain and misery.

Horses are much easier cured of gun-shot wounds than the human species: this arises from the latter being impressed generally with anxiety, from which the animal is free; hence the irritability is much less in the one than the other, and the horse displays no symptoms of uneasiness till the constitution is affected.

Treatment. Should any substances of a hurtful and irritable nature have been carried with the ball into the wound, it would be best to try and extract them, otherwise probing the wound unnecessarily only gives pain and does not advance the cure. If the wound becomes ulcerated, treat it as under article Ulcers. Fever often accompanies gun-shot wounds, when it were good to give laxative and cooling medicines.

In treating these cases, Gibson says

"Where a ball has penetrated quite through any part, both orifices must be kept open till the wound is filled up with new flesh, and no bad symptoms remain, as pain, swelling, or inflammation, which in those gun-shot wounds that enter the bones as well as the flesh, would denote the existence either of extraneous matter, or of splinters, which must be removed by gradually enlarging the most convenient orifice. But in most internal this is unnecessary, because the bullet can seldom be brought out the same way by which it entered. I have known leaden bullets lie many years in men, especially in the abdomen, without any great

pain or danger; and those that have gone deep in the flesh and beyond reach, make their way sometimes from places where they could never be expected to appear. Many extraordinary instances of this kind are upon record in the surgical transactions of different parts of Europe." He adds, "I have known bullets pierce through both flesh and bones in men, making a round smooth passage like an anger-hole, and been as easy of cure as a flesh wound, except when they have penetrated or grazed the joints. In these cases horses may be rendered useless, even though the wound be cured."

In most cases where the bones are very much splintered, the horse is rendered useless, and the best plan is to destroy him. Fungous flesh will sometimes grow to wounds, which is bad, and should be stopped by smearing the part with red precipitate, or washed with vitriol and water.

SPASMODIC COLIC, OR GRIPES,

Is a disease by no means unfrequent among horses, and sometimes has a fatal termination. The symptoms, however, which accompany it, are not unlike those attendant on inflammation of the bowels, or the red colic of the farriers, consequently it is highly necessary to be able to discern between the two, as the treatment is materially diff rent in each case.

Causes. The common practice of allowing horses to drink, and of using cold water externally, when heated from work or exercise, is a very common cause.

The too sudden use of green food after being some time accustomed to dry only. Costiveness may occasion it, and in such cases the attack is considerably With some

more dangerous than in ordinary cases. horses it has been accounted constitutional.

The Symptoms of this disease are very sudden : without any apparent warning the horse becomes restless, pawing the ground, shifting from side to side in his stall, and occasionally striking his belly with his feet; and when the attack is very severe, he will lie down, and then rise suddenly; sometimes rolling about on his litter the pains, however, are frequently intermitting, when the animal feels a momentary relief, and then the spasm returns with greater violence than before, which is evident from the general uneasiness of the horse. After a duration of from ten and twelve to twenty hours, inflammation will take place, and death often follows.

Treatment. When simple spasm alone exists, the medicines which may be efficaciously used are very numerous; at the head of these we may place turpentine and opium, which are almost universally given.

Spirit of Turpentine

Tincture of Opium

Pepper (ground)

3 ounces,

1 ounce,

5 or 6 drachms,

made into a drink with half a pint of warm ale, will

oftentimes act speedily in giving relief.

Mr. Paris, in an article in "The Veterinarian," says

Mr. Youatt has given the following table as a means of distinguishing between the symptoms of colic and inflammation of the bowels, as the treatment which is beneficial in the first case, is generally fatal to the second :

Colic.

Sudden in its attack.

Pulse rarely much quickened in the early period of the disease and during the intervals of ease, but evidently fuller.

Inflammation of the Bowels.

Gradual in its approach, with previous indications of fever.

Pulse very much quickened, but small, and often scarcely to be felt.

Legs and ears of the natu- Legs and ears cold.

The Treatment in this case should always be energetic and active. Bleeding must be resorted to in the first place. Seven or eight quarts of blood may be taken with safety, and if no relief is given in the course of a few hours, five quarts more may be drawn away if the horse is full and plethoric. A clyster must next be thrown up, previous to which it is necessary to back-rake; and by no means make use of purgatives, as they would effectually kill the animal. Tobaccoclysters have sometimes been used with effect. External inflammation must then be excited by means

Many bleed at first; but if the symptoms be acute, nothing can be better; and joined with internal antispasmodics, as opium, &c., the good effects have been too frequent not to be strongly recommended.

In most cases of spasm horses are apt to perspire very considerably; the wet clothing should consequently be removed, and dry ones substituted in their place. Avoid exposure to cold for a day or two after any violent attack, and feed on bran mashes.

INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS.

Is of two kinds :-1st., When the external coat of the intestines is affected; 2nd., When the mucous or internal coat is diseased: and this last is generally caused from an excess of purging.

The inflammation of the external coat of the intestines is often a very fatal malady; and runs so short a course, that the symptoms should be readily known, and the remedies quickly applied, and that, too, effectively.

Causes.-Exposure to colds-drinking too freely of cold water when hot-sometimes from the lungs the inflammation proceeds to the bowels-lastly, colic will degenerate into it.

Symptoms. It usually commences with slight fever attended with occasional shivering and restlessness; loss of appetite soon follows: the pulse is rapid and contracted within its usual size, and beats at the rate of 90 to 100 strokes.

L