68 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Rupture of the stomach. — This mostly occurs as a result of en- 

 gorged or tympanitic stomach (engorgement colic) and from the 

 horse violently throwing himself when so affected. It may result 

 from disease of the coats of the stomach, gastritis, stones (calculi), 

 tumors, or anything that closes the opening of the stomach into the 

 intestines, and very violent pulling or jumping immediately after the 

 animal has eaten heartily of bulky feed. These or similar causes may 

 lead to this accident. 



The symptoms of rupture of the stomach are not constant or 

 alwaj^s reliable. Always make inquiry as to what and how^ much the 

 horse has been fed at the last meal. Vomiting may precede rupture 

 of this organ, as stated above. This accident appears to be most 

 liable to occur in heavy draft horses. A prominent symptom ob- 

 served (though it may also occur in diaphragmatic hernia) is when 

 the horse, if possible, gets the front feet on higher ground than the 

 hind ones or sits on his haunches, like a dog. This position affords 

 relief to some extent, and it will be maintained for several minutes; 

 it is also quickly regained when the horse has changed it for some 

 other. Colicky symptoms, of course, are present, which vary much 

 and present no diagnostic value. As the case progresses the horse 

 Avill often stretch forward the fore legs, lean backward and down- 

 ward until the belly nearly touches the ground, and then rise up 

 again with a groan, after which the fluid from his nostrils is issued 

 in increased quantity. The pulse is fast and weak, breathing hur- 

 ried, body bathed in a clammy sweat, limbs tremble violently, the 

 horse reels or staggers from side to side, and death quickly ends the 

 scene. 



In the absence of any pathognomonic symptom we must consider 

 the history of the case; the symptoms of colic that cease suddenly 

 and are succeeded by cold sweats and tremors; the pulse quick and 

 small and thready, grov/ing weak and more frequent, and at length 

 running down and becoming altogether imperceptible ; looking back 

 at the flank and groaning; sometimes crouching with the hind quar- 

 ters ; with or without eructation and vomiting. 



There is no treatment that can be of any use whatever. Could we 

 be sure of our diagnosis it would be better to destroy the animal at 

 once. Since, however, there is always the possibility of a mistake in 

 diagonsis, we may give powdered opium in 1-dram doses every two 

 or three hours, with the object of keeping the stomach as quiet as 

 possible. 



Obstruction colic. — The stomach or bowels may be obstructed 

 by accumulations of partly digested feed (fecal matter), by foreign 

 bodies, by displacements, by paralysis, or by abnormal growths. 



Impaction of the large intestines. — This is a very common bowel 

 trouble and one which, if not promptly recognized and properly 



