C50 INTESTINAL SYMPTOMS AND FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS. 



cession of inflammatory action do so ratlier from some induced 

 unnatural mechanical condition of the structures than from 

 the identity of the morbid actions, spasm and inflammation, or 

 the natural tendency of the former to terminate in the latter. 



h. Causation. — The causes which seem to operate in the pro- 

 duction of this disturbance are all such as interfere with the 

 healthy and normal functions of the intestines, all which 

 obstruct or arrest the peristaltic motion of the tube by which 

 the contained ingesta is passed along, or which pervert or 

 lessen the usual secretions of the follicular and other struc- 

 tures by which digestion is carried on in the canal. Of these 

 the chief are : 



1. Dietetic Errors. — Over-feeding, irregular feeding, feeding 

 with bad or improper material, and feeding when, from fatigue 

 and exhaustion, food ought to be withheld, or at least given in 

 restricted amount, are certainly the most fruitful sources of 

 colic in the horse. We are well aware that many horses are 

 such ravenous feeders that an attempt to satisfy their appetite 

 at any time is certain to imperil the integrity of their digestive 

 organs ; no doubt we will meet with others where, from con- 

 stitutional tendency, together with a habit so far acquired, 

 having always been full fed and kept in high condition, this 

 does not occur ; they will rarely gorge themselves, but will eat 

 from abundance only a sufficiency : the majority are, however, 

 not so constituted. 



That too large quantities of even good food given to healthy 

 horses are likely to induce disturbance of the bowels and the 

 development of colic, I have had abundant evidence during 

 many years' practice in an agricultural district, where the horses, 

 always well fed, are, with the regularity of the return of the 

 seasons, subjected to a condition of high-pressure, both as 

 respects their powers of work-doing and of food-reception. 

 With the recurrence of the spring work, and on until the root- 

 crops are sown, dry, nutritious, stimulating food — oats and beans 

 chiefly — is allowed ad lihitum. I have found some animals 

 consuming close upon thirty pounds of these per day; the 

 consequence of this hard work and over-feeding, this forcing of 

 the animals to take into their digestive organs more food not 

 only than they can appropriate, or is needful for them, but 

 more than the animal machine can destroy and j^ass through 



