Colic of the Horse and Autonomic-Nervous Disturbances

1. Fifty-seven cases which were clinically and pathologico-anatomically diagnosed as true equine colics (24 of constipation colic, 19 dislocation colic and 14 dyspepsia colic) were investigated histo-pathologically and with special consideration of neuropathology. 2. Common histopathological characteristics in the cases of the above-mentioned three colics each were composed of multiple degeneration and loss of parenchyma in the peripheral nervous system especially the autonomic nervous system (polyneuropathy), abnormality of the blood vessels (alteration; edematous loosening and swelling of the walls) in the alimentary canal, and degeneration and loss of smooth muscle fiber in the alimentary canal. 3. It was reasonably discussed that significances of these histo-pathological changes may have played important parts in formal pathogenesis of the three kinds of colics . Formal-pathogenetically occurrences of the three colics each may be decided according to quantitative conditions and localization of the disturbances of the autonomic nerves . 4. Occurrences of anamnestic and habitual colics may also be elucidated by means of disturbances of the autonomic nerves. Formal-pathogenetically it seems that occurrences of spasmodic and flatulent colics are also, in the final analysis, interpreted by means of disturbances of the autonomic nerves. 5. With the exception of occulsion, worm and thrombo-embolic colics, the abovementioned various colics may occur based on disturbances of the autonomic nerves. From the formal-pathogenetical standpoints, the author would like to advocate such an idea as that one should attach importance to this opinion, "autonomic-neurogenic theory", as one of primary factors of occurrences of true colics. 6. In the conclusion, it seems that the "autonomic-neurogenic theory" as a primary factor in formal pathogenesis should be enumerated in addition to the classic theories on primary factors of occurrences of true equine colics.