DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. (39 



treated, results in death. It is caused l\v overfeedinfr. especially of 

 bulky feed eontaiuiu<; an excess of intligestihle residue; old. dry, hard 

 hay, or stalks when largely fed; deficiency of secretions of the intes- 

 tinal trarts; lack of water: want of exercise, medicines, etc. 



Impaction of the large bowels is to be diagnosed by a slight 

 abdoniiiKil pain, which may disappear for a day or two to reappear 

 with more violence. The feces are passed somewhat more fi'e<|uently, 

 but in smaller (juantities and drier; the ab(h)men is full, but not dis- 

 tended with gas; the horse at first is noticed to paw ami soon I'egins 

 to look baek at his sides. Probably one of the most characteristic 

 fcyniptoms is the position assumed when down. He lies Hat on his 

 side, head an»l legs extended, occasionally raising his head to look 

 toward his Hank; he remains on his side for from i\\e to fifteen 

 minutes at a time. Evidently this position is the one giving the nu)st 

 freedom from pain, lie rises at times, walks about the stall, paws, 

 looks -it his sides, backs up against the stall, which he presses with his 

 tail, and scon lies down again, assuming his favored position. The 

 intestinal sounds, as heard by applying the ear to the flank, are dimin- 

 ished, or there is no sound, indicating absence of motion of the bowels. 

 The bowels may cease entirely to move. The i)ressure of the dis- 

 tended intestine upon the bladder may cause the horse to make fre- 

 ijuent attemi)ts to urinate. The pulse is but little changed at first, 

 being full and sluggish; later, if this condition is not overcome, it 

 becomes rapid and feelde. Horses may suffer from impaction of the 

 Ijowels for a week, yet eventually recover, and cases extending two 

 or even three weeks have ended favorably. As a rule, however, they 

 seldom last more than four or five days, many, in fact, dying sooner 

 than this. 



The treatment c<»nsists of efforts to produce movement of the bowels 

 and to prevent inflammation of the same from arising. A large 

 cathaitic is to be given as early as possible. Either of the f(»llow- 

 ing is recommended: Powdered Barbados aloes 1 ounce, calomel 2 

 dram.s, and powdered nux vomica 1 dram; or linseed oil 1 ])int and 

 croton oil 15 drops; or from 1 pint to 1 (|uait of castor oil may be 

 given. Some favor the administration of Epsom or (llauber's salt, 

 1 pound, with one-quarter pound of common .salt, claiming that this 

 causes the horse to drink largely of water, thus mechanically soften- 

 ing the impacted mass and favoring its expulsion. Whichever physic 

 is selected, it is e.s.sential that a full dose be given. This is nuich 

 better than small and repeated doses. It must be borne in mind that 

 horses re<|uire about twenty-four hours in which to respond to a 

 physic, and under no circumstances is it to be repeated .sooner. If 

 aloes has been given and has failed to operate at the proper time, 

 oil or s<»me different cathartic should then be administered. Allow 



