590 DISEASES OF THE ALIMENTARY TRACT, STOMACH, ETC. 



bined with dilute snlphiiric acid, and alternated Avitli solution 

 of iodine or iodide of potassium — the one in the morning, the 

 other at night — are likely to serve our purpose better. The 

 removal of the local oedema may be faciUtated by fomentation, 

 smart friction with simple oil, and moderate exercise. 



In cases where the amount of fluid is great, and producing 

 much inconvenience, or where its amount is not perceptibly 

 lessened by the use of medicine, and particularly when asso- 

 ciated with cirrhosis and other structural diseases of the liver, 

 pafacentesis or tapping the abdomen and withdrawing the 

 fluid by means of the trocar or aspirator may be adopted, and 

 even repeated at regular intervals. Earely, however, does this 

 afford permanent relief, the immediate inducing cause being 

 constantly in operation. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



diseases of the alimentary tract, stomach, and 

 intestines. 



General Remarks as to their Importance aivid Clinical 

 Characters. 



With certain breeds of horses, and in particular districts of 

 the country, there is probably no class of organs the diseases of 

 which are of more importance to the veterinary surgeon than 

 those affecting the alimentary canal. Their importance arises 

 from the frequency of their occurrence, and the fatahty of 

 their results. In many agricultural districts they are not only 

 the diseases which most engage his attention, they are those 

 also in which his largest death-rate is found. In addition, 

 they are particularly deserving of the attention of the profes- 

 sional man, seeing they are those diseases over which he is 

 able to exercise the greatest and most certain preventive 

 influence, chiefly through the carrying out of a properly regu- 

 lated dietary. 



Diseases of the digestive organs arc largely modified and 

 influenced in much relating to their appearance and develo}>- 

 ment by many causes and conditions. Although there is little 

 doubt that particular breeds and special constitutional pecu- 



