REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 289 



tities at once at shorter intervals, which was highly successful 

 in the instance quoted above, and will be found equally so in 

 most others of the class. 



In fact, what may be said of preventive measures in the pre- 

 ceding diseases will also apply to those immediately to be dis- 

 cussed. If owners consult their own advantages and benefit, 

 they would also diminish much animal suffering, by looking 

 into the system of feeding and work, immediately on the appear- 

 ance of a case of the kind among their animals. 



Some or all the symptoms of choking and obstruction will 

 also be present in cases of membranous degeneration of the 

 gullet, states which are accompanied by special characteristics — 

 familiar only to the professional man — and running into condi- 

 tions of an irremediable nature. . 



Rupture of the gullet takes place under certain circumstances, 

 apart from those which we have been considering. It has 

 occurred in my practice on several occasions ; in one instance, a 

 farm colt foal which was left in a stable alone, anxious after 

 every footstep, supposing them to be those of its dam, and jump- 

 ing up to a window, came in violent contact with a nail stand- 

 ing out from the wall. In a second, a horse was fed while at 

 work — a tight collar, it is supposed, prevented the passage of 

 food downwards, an accumulation took place, symptoms of dis- 

 tress set in, he fell and struggled, and after several days, died. 

 In the surrounding space amongst the muscles, in both cases, was 

 a large mass of half masticated hay, &c, which had issued from a 

 long rent in the gullet. 



Dyspepsia. — This is a condition more frequently met with 

 in farm and other horses than is commonly stated, which from 

 experience gained among these animals, I consider merits a 

 place in this treatise under the above name. That such has not 

 hitherto met with a place in our veterinary literature, is no jus- 

 tification for its omision here. 



Nature. — Dyspepsia is a condition, as already found, apart 

 from any structural lesion ; the organs affected are the stomach, 

 and, probably, generally the liver, pancreas, and glands of the 

 intestines. 



Causes. — Over-feeding, long fasts, with hard work. The 

 practice of cramming animals at one time, and starving at 

 another, is a prolific source, particularly when the food supplied 

 is of a coarse or inferior kind. Defective teeth, which lead to 

 an imperfect mastication of food, and food of an indigestible 

 character, will produce Dyspepsia. 



Symptoms. — There is an evident dullness about the animal, 

 particularly at work, the coat stares, and has lost its bright 

 glossy appearance, the belly is tucked up, appetite capricious 



