76 NAVIX ox THE HORSE. 



DISEASES OF THE DiaESTIVE ORGANS. 



INDIGESTION. 



There is no disease more common among horses than indi- 

 gestion. It is more generally known in human practice by the 

 name of dyspepsia. It is a disease, in both man ' and horse, 

 much more frequently met with in America than in Europe. 

 It is the foundation of many other and more alarming dis- 

 eases that afflict the horse, among which may be mentioned 

 flatulent colic, spasmodic colic, inflammation of the stomach, 

 bowels, liver, etc. ; and yet it is a disease generally overlooked 

 by the owner, and often by the professional horse doctor. It is 

 true, its symptoms may be so trifling in the early stage of the 

 disease as not to be noticed ; but I would earnestly recommend 

 that more attention be paid to it, that its evil effects may be 

 better understood and guarded against. 



Symptoms. — A very considerable variety of symptoms mani- 

 fest themselves in a case of indigestion, so the same train must 

 not be looked for in every case. The appetite is irregular ; the 

 horse will eat Avith his usual relish for a few meals, and then 

 seem to get a disgust for food, and take but little, or none at 

 all ; 01 eat every particle of certain parts of the feed, and leave 

 other parts untouched. His unnatural appetite is observed 

 in his eating dirt, dry sticks, pieces of brick, and, especially, 

 the dirty straw of his litter, for which he seems, at times, to 

 have a great relish. His bowels become more or less af- 

 fected. The dung is passed in hard masses, and often much 

 undigested grain in it, and covered with slime. Worms are a 

 common attendant of indigestion. The dung has a very offens- 

 ive smell, as also the wind the horse often passes. The smell 

 of the manure is like that of rotten, fermented vegetables ; 

 and often the horse's stall is as disagreeable and stinking as a 

 sink or hog-pen. Soon after the commencement of the disease 

 the coat begins to appear rough and dry. The skin is cov-' 



