DISEASES OF THE HORSE 29 



CONSTIPATION 



Cause : Indigestible foods, irregular feeding, lack of, 

 or too much, exercise, insufficient secretion of digestive 

 materials, strictures, ruptures, paralysis, worms, folding 

 and t^\dsting of the intestines, which frequently occurs 

 in old age. 



Symptoms : The animal cannot expel the contents of 

 the intestines, which frequently causes colicky pains. 

 Death from this form of constipation is generally due 

 to rupture of the intestines, when due to indigestible 

 foods or irregular feeding. Lack of, or too much, exer- 

 cise seldom produces death, although the animal may not 

 pass any fecal matter for a week. 



Treatment: Give a capsule containing Aloin, two 

 drams, and Pulverized Ginger, two drams, every eighteen 

 hours until the animal has a movement of the bowels. 

 Then give the following tonic : Pulverized Nux Vomica, 

 two ounces; Pulverized Gentian Root, two ounces; Pul- 

 verized Fenugreek Seed, four ounces. Mix well and give 

 one tablespoonful in feed three times a day. If the 

 animal refuses to eat it in the feed, place one tablespoon- 

 ful in gelatin capsule and administer with capsule gun. 

 This will stimulate the worm-like movement of the bowels 

 and strengthen the heart action. 



Give the animal all the water it will drink. If the 

 water is cold, take the chill oif by warming or adding 

 warm water. If the animal will eat, feed food that is 

 easily digested, such as grass, carrots, turnips, potatoes 

 and apples, but do not feed too large a quantity at one 

 time. Hot bran mashes or steamed rolled oats are very 

 nourishing and easily digested. Rectal injections of 

 Soap and Turpentine in small quantities, added to warm 

 water, are very beneficial, and I would recommend their 

 use. It is advisable to elevate the animaPs hind parts 

 when giving rectal injections, as compelling the animal 

 to stand with its head lower than its hind parts will 

 cause the animal to retain the injection much longer, 

 consequently it does its intended work much better. 



