DISEASES OF THE DIOESTIVE ORGANS. 77 



stretcliin<r the head fonvaid and upward and hy tnrninf!: the upper 

 lip outward. There may be more or k'ss colicky pnin. In the chronic 

 cases there is mental depression; the horse is slu<>:«rish and dull. 'I'lio 

 abdomen gradually becomes small, giving a " tucked up " appearance, 

 or, on the other hand, it becomes flaccid and pendulous. 



Tnatnunf. — (3ne shouhl commence with the feed — its (|ualitv, 

 quantity, and time of feeding; examine the water supply. ;uul see, 

 ])esides. that it is given before feeding: then carefully observe the 

 condition of the mouth and teeth: and. continuing the observations 

 as best we may, endeavor to find the seat of the trouble. If the teeth 

 are sharp or irregular they must be i-aspcd down: if any are decayed 

 they must be extracted: if indigestion is due to ra\enous eating or 

 bolting, the feed mu>t then be given from a large manger where the 

 grain can be spread and the horse thus compelled to eat slowly. 



Any irritation, such as worms, undigested feed, etc.. that is oper- 

 ating as a cause is to be removed by appropriate treatment, as advised 

 elsewhere. If there is a tendency to distention of the stomach and 

 bowels, with gas, during indigestion, tlie following may be used: 

 Baking soda, powdered ginger, and powdered gentian, equal parts. 

 These are to be thoroughly mixed and given in heaiVing tablespoonful 

 doses, twice a day, before feeding. This powder is best given by 

 dissolving the above-named quantity in a half pint of water and 

 given as a drench. 



As a digestive tonic the following is good : Cilauber's salt. '2 pounds ; 

 common salt. 1 pound; baking soda, one-half pound. Of this a 

 heaping tablespoonful may be given in each feed. If diarrhea exists, 

 the treatment advised below may be used. 



DIARRHEA. 



Diarrhea is due to indigestion or intestinal catarrh or to irritation 

 of the bowels from eating moldy or musty feed, drinking stagnant 

 Avater, diseased condition of the teeth, eating irritating substances, to 

 l)eing kept on lov,\ marshy j^astures, and to exposure during cold 

 nights, or in low, damp stables. Some horses are i)redisposed to scour 

 and are called "'washy" by horsemen; they are those with long 

 bodies, long legs, and narrow, flat sides. Horses of this build arc 

 almost sure to scour if fed or watered immediately before being \)\\t to 

 work. Fast or road work, of cour.se. aggravates this trouble. Diar- 

 rhea may exist as a complication of other diseases, as pneumonia and 

 influenza, for instance, and again during the disea.ses of the liver. 



The symptoms are the frequent evacuations of licpiid stools, with or 

 without i)ronounced abdominal pain, loss of appetite, emaciation. vU\ 



Treatment is at times very simjile. but re<|uircs the utmost care and 

 judgment. If due to faulty feed or water it is sufficient to change 

 these. If it results from some in-itant in the intestines this is best 



