72 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 



tion may be slight — 2 or 3 inches only — or extensive, measuring as 

 many feet. In intussusception, the inturned bowel is in the direction 

 of the anus. There are adhesions of the intestines at this point, con- 

 gestion, inflammation, or even gangrene. This accident is most liable 

 to occur in horses that are suffering from spasm of the boAvel, or in 

 those in which a small portion of the gut is paralyzed. The natural 

 wormlike or ringlike contraction of the gut favors the passage of 

 the contracted or paralyzed portion into that immediately behind it. 

 It may occur during the existence of almost any abdominal trouble, 

 as diarrhea, inflammation of the bowels, or from injuries, exposure to 

 cold, etc. A fall or leaping may give the initial maldirection. Foals 

 are most likely to be thus afflicted. 



Unless the invaginated portion of the gut becomes strangulated, 

 probably no symptoms except constipation will be appreciable. 

 Strangulation of the bowel may take place suddenly, and the horse 

 die within 24 hours, or it may occur after several days — a week 

 even — and death then follow. There are no symptoms positively 

 diagnostic. Colicky pains, more or less severe and continuous, 

 are observed, and at first there may be diarrhea, followed by con- 

 stipation. Severe straining occurs in some instances of intussuscep- 

 tion, and when this occurs it should receive due credit. As death 

 approaches, the horse sweats profusely, sighs, presents an anxious 

 countenance, the legs and ears become cold, and there is often free- 

 dom from pain immediately before death. In some rare instances he 

 recovers, even though the invaginated portion of the gut has become 

 strangulated. In this case the imprisoned portion sloughs away so 

 gradually that a union has taken place between the intestines at the 

 point where one portion has slipped into that behind it. The piece 

 sloughing off is found passed with the manure. Such cases are ex- 

 ceedingly rare. Nonirritating laxatives, such as castor oil, sweet oil, 

 or calomel in small closes, should be given. Soft feed and mucilagi- 

 nous and nourishing drinks should be given during these attacks. 

 E. Mayhew Michener has operated successfully on a foal with intus- 

 susception by opening the abdomen and releasing the imprisoned gut. 



Volvulus, gut tie, or twisting of the howels. — These are the terms 

 applied to the bowels when twisted or knotted. This accident is 

 rather a common one, and frequently results from the violent manner 

 in which a horse throws himself about when attacked by spasmodic 

 colic. The symptoms are the same as those of intussusception and 

 obstructions of the bowels; the same directions as to treatment are 

 therefore to be observed. 



Paralysis of the intestine. — This occurs in old, debilitated animals 

 that have been fed on coarse, innutritions fodder. This produces 

 a condition of dilatation so pronounced as to make it impossible for 

 the intestine to advance its contents, and so obstruction results. The 



