CHAPTEE XV. 

 DISEASES OP YOUNG STOCK. 



Constipation is a common trouble in foals the first few 

 days after birth, the food of the dam just previous to 

 delivery not having been of a laxative nature or the first 

 milk (colostrum) was not taken by the foal, will thus 

 account for this trouble in the majority of cases. Calves, 

 lambs and pigs are rarely troubled, as they usually get 

 the first milk. The signs of this trouble are straining, 

 rolling, lying on the back, colicky symptoms, the belly 

 tucked up; the foal sucking in a half hearted way, and 

 the non-passage of feces are also reliable indications. 

 The preferable way to overcome the trouble is to diet 

 the dam, changing to food of a more laxative nature, e. g. , 

 bran mashes with flax seed; the use of purgatives on a 

 foal of such a tender age is extremely dangerous. The 

 finger may be oiled and introduced into the rectum, the 

 contents of a dark tarry ball like nature removed; or a 

 cone of soap may be placed in the rectum and left there. 

 The injection of one-half ounce of glycerine or two ounces 

 of raw linseed oil in two or three ounces of water is 

 very useful and may be used in preference to the soap or 

 oiled finger. Lambs should be watched their first two 

 weeks of life, as the feces tend to stick to the wool around 

 the anus and thus form an obstacle to the passage of the 

 dung. 



