FLATULENT COLIC.                               249

Treatment.—Copious enemas of soap and warm water (also
see Formula 81) fomentations to the belly, to which turpentine
may be added. When severe, fomentations are out of the question,
mustard mixed with warm water should be applied, or liniment
rubbed over the belly.

Repeat in four hours if necessary, reducing the opium to 2½ drs.

           OR

Repeated in four hours if necessary.

                      OR

                     OR

Soaked in bread, or mixed with boiled rice, repeated
if necessary in four hours.

Ganja in doses of 3 to 4 drachms may be substituted for the opium.

(Also see Formulae 1 to 6 and mussauls.)

When the acute symptoms have subsided, earlier if possible, it is
advisable to give a dose of physic such as castor-oil, to relieve the
bowels.

Solid food should be withheld for 24 hours and only good gruel
allowed. If attacks recur care should be taken to examine food and
water-supply.

                            FLATULENT COLIC.

Symptoms.—In this form there are colicky pains, but as a rule
they are not so acute as in the spasmodic form. The belly may be
greatly distended ; the bowels are generally constipated ; the dung
may be dry and hard, or soft and pale in colour ; there is loss of
appetite, dulness and listlessness ; trunk contracted. Severe cases
are very serious as death may result. Flatulent colic may also be
a symptom of other serious abdominal affections.