284 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



such stimulants and carminatives as turpentine and spirit of nitrous ether, 

 capsicums, cardamoms, ginger, and the fruits of the pepper tribe generally, 

 are calculated to restore tone to the affected parts. A draught consisting 

 of laudanum, spirit of nitrous ether, and linseed-oil has for long enjoyed a 

 good reputation, and is usually to be found in most large studs. Some 

 relief may be afforded by promj)tly unloading the rectum of its contents 

 with the oiled hand and afterwards throwing up a clyster, which may be 

 repeated every three or four hours. 



A fatal result is sometimes precipitated by rupture of the distended 

 bowel or of the diaphragm by reason of the continued outward pressure 

 on the gut. With abatement of the symptoms abstinence for some hours 

 should be insisted upon, and small quantities only of food allowed until 

 restoration appears to be complete. 



CONSTIPATION 



Definition. — Constipation is a condition of the intestines in which for 

 various reasons the fseces are too long retained, too hard in consistence, and 

 voided with difficulty in inadequate quantity. 



Causes. — The causes of this disorder are many and various, the more 

 common being continued feeding upon dry provender, insufficient and 

 irregular watering, woody and innutritious foods, as in the case of forest 

 ponies subsisting on heather, moss, and twigs of trees and bushes in 

 dry seasons. In addition, it is also induced by sudden changes of diet, 

 want of exercise, mechanical obstructions, debility, and imperfect secretion 

 of bile and other digestive juices. In very young foals it is often due 

 to plugging of the rectum with meconium which has accumulated in the 

 bowels during the latter part of fetal life. 



Symptoms. — It is only in the most pronounced cases that attention is 

 drawn to this ailment — when it is noticed that the faeces are discharged 

 with difficulty, and after considerable straining, during which the back 

 is arched and the hind legs are brought under the body, the act of defeca- 

 tion is completed with a groan. The clung is voided in small quantities, 

 consisting of hard round pieces more or less glazed and dark in colour. 



It is a common affection of very young foals, and the experienced 

 breeder or attendant, whose observation has been cultivated, will suspect 

 this condition if the new-born foal at frequent short intervals is found 

 to posture as if to pass urine; he may not arch his back in the manner 

 of an adult, but will evince signs of uneasiness, elevating the tail, straining, 

 looking hack, lying down at full length and rising again as if suffering 

 abdominal pain. 



