294 THE HORSE 



into the second, which is the largest of the intestines. As 

 the ingesta passes onward, a set of vessels suck up the 

 nutritious portion, which is always a liquid, and this passes 

 through certain glands, and thence into a receptacle, and 

 finally into the heart. It is now that the faeces begin to 

 harden, and assume the appearance of dung-balls ; but 

 absorption of liquid is always going on, as they pass 

 through the remaining portion of the second and the third 

 bowel, which explains how constipation arises, and in the 

 case of fever this is greatly enhanced. It is to relieve this 

 condition that the employment of enemas is so beneficial, 

 by removing the obstructing mass and leaving a free 

 passage in its stead. 



Hepatitis, or Inflammation of the Liver. 



In this affection the animal appears sleepy and unwilling 

 to move, and eats little or nothing ; the urine is scanty ; 

 the dung dark-coloured and in lumps. The membrane of 

 the nose, and the eyes become yellow, and so also are the 

 inside of the lips and tongue, owing to the presence of bile 

 in the blood. The horse may frequently be observed to 

 turn his head round to look at his right side, and when this 

 is pressed it causes pain ; while a derangement of the liver 

 is often a cause of slight lameness in the off fore-leg. 

 Whenever any yellowish tinge is observed about the eyes 

 or mouth at once give sulphate of magnesia powders in 

 the drinking-water, continuing them for four days, night 

 and morning; these are generally all the drugs that are 

 required. If further treatment is necessary give — 



Calomel 2 drs. 



Nitre i oz. 



for three successive mornings. 



Costiveness, and when a Dose of Physic is required. 



When a horse's bowels are bound, without any other 

 disease existing, little corn should be allowed, and no beans, 



