REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 



307 



hours, as well as enemas of tepid water. Purgatives to 

 relieve the bowels with other remedies, as aconite, calomel, 

 opium, &c. Bleeding is not calculated to be of service in these 

 cases. 



Diarrhcea is to be looked at more as a symptom of disease 

 than of being disease itself, consisting of continued evacuation 

 of liquid fseces, without much pain or hemorrhage. It usually 

 ushers in diseases of a catarrhal nature, or those affecting the 

 mucous membranes, in which class that which lines the intestines 

 is included, arising from derangement of that system of tissues. 

 It also arises from the presence of some irritant matter, not itself 

 a poison, within the intestines ; another form is that which 

 attends actual disease, as blood poisons, &c, and is found in 

 conjunction with organic changes in the structures of the liver, 

 spleen, pancreas, kidneys, lungs, &c, &c. The horse is prone to 

 diarrhcea that is compelled to endure privations, as deficient 

 and inferior food, bad water, and inadequate shelter, over-work, 

 &c, all of which are predisposing causes, and effectual agents 

 also in producing permanent disease of other organs in conjunc- 

 tion. 



Symptoms. — Frequent fluid evacuations and discharge of 

 flatus, occasional colic, uneasiness of the hind legs, straining, and 

 loss of appetite. The animal rapidly wastes and becomes 

 emaciated, and dies from extreme weakness. After death the 

 appearances will be found to vary as the causes are present, and 

 will form a part of consideration under other heads. In simple 

 diarrhcea, however, we seldom find more than those signs of 

 determination of blood to the parts, as indicated by the redness 

 usual to, and dependent upon, active secretion. 



Treatment. — Simple diarrhoea may be removed by half the 

 usual dose of castor oil and laudanum — viz., half-pint of the 

 former and one ounce fluid measure of the latter. Warm water 

 injections are also useful. Keep the animal warm, allow good 

 food, thick gruel at first, or boiled corn, clean beds, and perfect 

 ventilation. Small quantities of fluid, however, must only be 

 used. Should the purgative not succeed in removing 1he irrita- 

 tion after a second dose, in all probability, opiates, astringents, 

 &c, as catechu, tannic or gallic acid, kino, &c, will be called for 

 with starch gruel. 



The following forms are most useful : — 



No. 1. 



Powdered gentian 8 drams. 



Tannic acid 5 dram, or 



Powdered galls 2 drams. 



Starch 1 ounce. 



Given in tepid water, twice a 

 day. 



No. 2. 



Prepared chalk 1 ounce. 



Catechu, or kino 2 drams. 



Gentian powdered 4 ,, 



Opium 2 > . 



In ale or gruel, twice or three 

 times a day. 



