MANUAL FOR STABLE SERGEANTS. 119 



Diseases of the Stomach and Intestines. 



412. Chronic indi3^estion. — A chronic inflammation of the 

 stomach and intestines. 



Causes. — Irregularity in feeding and watering, food poor in quahty 

 (spoiled or coarse), worms, old age, and improper mastication, due 

 to bad teeth or +o eating too rapidly. 



Symptoms. — Appetite irregular, depraved, or diminished; con- 

 stipation, usually, though there may be diarrhea. Periodic colics 

 are frequent, the coat is rough, and the skin is tightly adherent to 

 the body (hidebound). The animal has an unthrifty appearance 

 and sweats antl tires easily when at work. The presence of worms 

 is recognized by their appearance in the feces, and by the presenc3 

 of white patches of dried mucus around the anus. 



Treatment. — Examine the mouth and correct existing faults; 

 examine the forage and discontinue it if bad. Feed small quan- 

 tities of good nutations food (steamed oats, bran mashes, grass, etc.) 

 at regular intervals ; keep a lump of salt where the animal can reach 

 it; give plenty of fresh drinking water, and see that the animal is 

 regularly exercised and properly groomed. 



If constipation exists, feed bran mashes or grass until the feces 

 become soft, then give the following tonic: 



Ounces. 



Gentian, powdered 3 



Nux vomica, powdered 1 



Bicarbonate of soda 3 



Potassium nitrate 3 



Mix and make into 12 powders. Give a powder twice a day. 

 Worms are to be removed by turpentine and raw linseed oil, as 

 prescribed in paragraph 329, or 1 ounce of creolin in 1 quart of water 

 may be given on an empty stomach. The following is also useful: 



Ounces. 



Iron sulphate If 



Gentian, powdered 3 



Mix and divide into 12 powders. Give a powder morning and 

 evening. When the last powder has been given, give 1^ pints of 

 raw linseed oil. 



413. Spasmodic coUc (fig. 47). — Spasm of the muscular wall 

 of the intestines. 



Causes. — Sudden chilling of the body due to large drinks of cold 

 water, or exposure to cold drafts or rains; improper feeding; indigesti- 



