658 



ReadixoCourse for F.vR.MERS. 



bowels will ordinarily be stimulated to action by administering two 

 ounces of olive oil or castor oil, and an injection of warm water 

 into the bowels. The water should be at blood heat and have added to 

 it a little glycerine — a teaspoonful of glycerine and enough warm water 

 to make two or three ounces, not more. Never try to fill the little foal 

 with copious douches of soap-suds, as is often done. Plain cold water 

 is better than soap-suds. Only a very little is needed. Inject gently 

 into the rectum with a common two-ounce hard rubber syringe, taking 

 care not to rupture the tender membrane. This will lubricate the passage 



Fig. 13. — Two-year-old Percheron stallion 



and induce the foal to endeavor to pass the fecal matter, which is a 

 yellowish, rather hard, waxy substance. If given as directed, the in- 

 jection can do no harm and may be repeated every hour. In five hours, 

 relief will usually have been gained and the appearance of the youngster 

 will have changed greatly for the better. 



Diarrhea or scours. This disease is rather prevalent among suckling 

 animals, and is often fatal. Although less subject to it than calves, 

 foals often die from it within a short period of time after birth. The 

 causes are not certainly known. It is ordinarily attributed to changes 

 of an unknown chai"acter in the composition of the milk. Two facts, 



