106 THE DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 



an inflammation. Robertson says it is different from or- 

 dinary inflammations both in its clinical and after-death 

 features. The large as well as the small bowels are liable 

 to attack, the weakest or most irritated parts suffering 

 first probably. 



Its most frequent causes perhaps are overfatigue, cold 

 from exposure, washing with very cold water while heated 

 and afterward inadequately clothed, overfeeding previous 

 to hard work, injuries to the intestines, and certain dis- 

 eases. It is liable, in some cases, to settle in the feet, 

 especially the fore feet. Examine stallions for rupture. 

 Pressure of the abdomen is a good test for enteritis ; but 

 the surest test is examination per rectum with the oiled 

 hand. 



Recoveries are rare, death resulting either from morti- 

 fication or hemorrhage — blood in the colon or other in- 

 testine. 



The disease is distinguished from spasmodic colic (1) 

 by the pulse, which is full, firm, and accelerated to double 

 or treble its natural frequency ; (2) history of case ; (3) 

 manner of attack — not so sudden ; (4) intermissions — 

 practically none ; (5) progress of case. 



Symptoms. — No appetite; dull and feverish; paws, 

 stamps, strikes belly, cringes, &c, very much as in spas- 

 modic colic ; paws with one foot for hours ; anxious and 

 painful expression of eye ; belly tense, painful, and drawn 

 up toward flanks ; dung hard, angular, and dark colored. 

 As the disease progresses, animal becomes restless, breathes 

 hard, sighs, perhaps snorts ; breathing sooner or later be- 

 comes hurried as well as hard ; nostrils dilated ; counte- 

 nance painfully vigilant; bathed in sweat — one time hot, 

 another cold ; occasional tremor ; tail erect and quivering ; 

 mouth hot and dry; pulse 80 to 120 — hard, wiry. 



The last stage borders on delirium ; wild, haggard stare, 

 pupils dilating; danger. Suddenly a change comes — the 

 change of mortification ; pain ceases ; quiet ; drinks and 



