208 



BOTS. 



very characteristic symptom that is — pallidness of the mem- 

 branes, coldness of the mouth, frequent lying down, and in such 

 position that the weight of the horse may rest on the chest, fre- 

 quently pointing with his muzzle at the seat of pain, and, espe- 

 cially, if these symptoms are accompanied or followed by vomit- 

 ing, rupture of the stomach is plainly indicated. The horse 

 does not necessarily die as soon as this accident occurs. In a 

 case related by Mr. Rogers, the animal died in about four 

 hours after the accident, but in one that occurred in the prac- 

 tice of the author, three days elapsed between the probable 

 rupture of the stomach, from a sudden and violent fall, and the 

 death of the animal, and in which interval he several times ate 

 a little food. 



Wisely considering the shocks and dangers to which it is 

 exposed, the stomach is extremely insensible. 



BOTS. 



In the spring and early part of the summer, horses are 

 much troubled by a grub or caterpillar, which crawls out of 

 the anus, fastens itself under the tail, and seems to cause a 

 great deal of itching or uneasiness. Grooms are sometimes 

 alaimed at the appearance of these insects. Their history is 

 curious, and will dispel every fear with regard to them. We 

 are indebeted to Mr. Bracy Clark for almost all we know of 

 the bot. 



Fig. 28. 



a and b The eggs of the gad-fly, adhering to the hair of the horse. 



c The appearance of the bots on the stomach, firmly adhering by their 

 hooked mouths. The marks or depressions are seen which are left 

 on the coat of the stomach when the bots are detached from their hold 

 d The bot detached. 



e The female of the gad-fly, of the horse, prepared to deposit her egga. 

 / The gad-fly by which the red bots are produced 

 er The en- ." - • or r«^>d hwt 



