^.}6 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
has been fed at the last meal. Vomiting may precede rupture of this 
organ, as stated above. This accident appears to be most likely to occur 
in heavy draft horses. A prominent symptom observed (though it may 
also occur in diaphragmatic hernia) is where the horse, if possible, gets 
the front feet on higher ground than the hind ones or sits on his 
haunches, like a dog. This position affords relief to some extent, and it 
will be maintained for some minutes; it is also quickly regained when 
the horse has changed it for some other. Colicky symptoms, of course, 
are present, and these will vary much and present no diagnostic value. 
As the case progresses "the horse will often stretch forward the forelegs, 
lean backward and downward until the belly nearly touches the ground, 
and then rise up again with a groan, after which the fluid from his nos- 
trils is issued in increased quantity." The pulse is fast and weak, breath- 
ing hurried, body bathed in a clammy sweat, limbs tremble violently, the 
horse reels or staggers from side to side, and death quickly ends the 
scene. 
In the absence of any pathognomonic symptoms of colic that cease 
suddenly and are succeeded by cold sweats and tremors; the pulse quick 
and small and thready, growing weak and more frequent, and at length 
running down and becoming altogether imperceptible; looking back at 
the flank and groaning; sometimes crouching with hind quarters; with or 
without eructation and vomiting. 
There is no treatment that can be of any use whatever. Could we be 
sure of our diagnosis it would be better to destroy the animal at once. 
Since, however, there is always the possibility of a mistake in diagnosis, 
we may give powdered opium in 1-dram doses every two or three hours, 
with the object of keeping the stomach as quiet as possible. 
(2) Ohstruction Colic. — The stomach or bowels may be obstructed by 
accumulations of partly digested food fecal matter, by foreign bodies, by 
displacements, by paralysis, or by abnormal growths. 
Impaction of the Large Intestines. This is a very common bowel 
trouble and one which, if not promptly recognized and properly treated, 
results in death. It is caused by overfeeding, especially of bulky food 
containing an excess of indigestible residue; old, dry, hard hay, or stalks 
when largely fed; deficiency of secretions of the intestinal tracts; lack of 
water; want of exercise, medicines, etc. 
Symptoms. — Impaction of the large bowels is to be diagnosed by a 
slight abdominal pain, which may disappear for a day or two to reappear 
with more violence. The feces are passed somewhat more frequently, 
but in smaller quantities and more dry; the abdomen is full, but not dis- 
tended with gas; the horse at first is noticed to pay and soon begins to 
look back at his sides. Probably one of the most characteristic symptoms 
is the position assumed when down. He lies flat on his side, head and 
legs extended, occasionally raising his head to look toward his flank; he 
remains on his side for from five to fifteen minutes at a time. Evidently 
this position is the one giving the most freedom from pain. He rises 
at times, walks about the stall, paws, looks at his sides, backs up against 
the stall, which he presses with his tail, and soon lies down again, assum- 
ing his favorite position. The intestinal sounds, as heard by applying 
