The Probert Encyclopaedia of Medicine

COLIC

Colic (named from colon, a portion of the large intestine), is a painful disorder of the bowels, usually of a spasmodic character, unaccompanied by diarrhoea, and presenting itself in various forms. When the pain is accompanied with a vomiting of bile or with obstinate costiveness it is called a bilious colic; if with windy distension, it takes the name of flatulent or windy colic; if with heat and inflammation, it takes the name of inflammatory colic, or enteritis. 'There are many other varieties of this complaint, some of which are peculiar to certain occupations or districts, as the painters colic and the Devonshire colic.
Research Colic