54 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



administered in half-dram doses, the powder being placed on the 

 tongue, one dose every two hours until four doses are given. 



Enemas of glycerin, 2 to 4 ounces, are often beneficial. Rubbing 

 or kneading of the abdominal walls and the application of stimulat- 

 ing liniments or strong mustard water will also, at times, favor the 

 expulsion of this mass. Walking exercise must occasionally be given. 

 If this treatment is faithfully carried out from the start the majority 

 of cases will terminate favorably. Where relief is not obtained in- 

 flammation of the bowels may ensue, and death follow from this 

 cause. 



Constipation^ or costiveness. — This is often witnessed in the horse, 

 and particularly in the foal. Many colts die every year from failure 

 on the part of the attendant to note the condition of the bowels soon 

 after birth. Whenever the foal fails to pass any feces, and in partic- 

 ular if it presents any signs of colicky pains — straining, etc. — imme- 

 diate attention must be given it. As a rule, it will only be necessary 

 to give a few injections of soapy water in the rectum and to introduce 

 the finger through the anus to break down any hardened mass of dung 

 found there. If this is not effective, a purgative must be given. Oils 

 are the best for these young animals, and preferably castor oil, giving 

 from 2 to 4 ounces. The foal should always get the first of the 

 mother's milk, as this milk, for a few days, possesses decided laxative 

 properties. If a mare, while suckling, is taking laudanum, morphine, 

 atropia, or similar medicines, the foal should be fed during this time 

 by hand and the mare milked upon the ground. Constipation in 

 adult horses is often the result of long feeding on dry, innutritions 

 food, deficiency of intestinal secretions, scanty water supply, or lack 

 of exercise. If the case is not complicated with colicky symptoms, a 

 change to light, sloppy diet, linseed gruel or tea, with plenty of exer- 

 cise, is all that is required. If colic exists, a cathartic is needed. In 

 very many instances the constipated condition of the bowels is due 

 to lack of intestinal secretions, and when so due, may be treated by 

 giving fluid extract of belladonna three times a day in 2-dram doses, 

 and handful doses daily of Epsom salts in the feed. It is always 

 best, when possible, to overcome this trouble by a change of diet 

 rather than by the use of medicines. For the relief of constipation 

 such succulent foods as roots, grass, or green forage are recommended. 

 Silage, however, should be fed sparingly, and not at all unless it is 

 in the very best condition. Moldy silage may cause fatal disease. 



Foreign hodies {calculi (stones) in the stomach). — There are prob- 

 ably but few symptoms exhibited by the horse that will lead one to 

 suspect the presence of gastric calculi, and possibly none by wdiich we 

 can unmistakably assert their presence. Stones in the stomach have 

 been most frequently found in millers' horses fed sweepings from 

 the mill. A depraved and capricious appetite is common in horses 



