MOLTEN- GREASE, OR DYSENTERY. 125 



slimy matter of the dung was formerly supposed 

 to be the fat of the body melted down, and dis- 

 charged by the intestines, after having been ab- 

 sorbed by the blood-vessels ; but our present im- 

 proved knowledge on the subject forbids such a 

 supposition. It is, for the most part, occasioned 

 by violent exercise, and drinking cold water too 

 soon after it ; or from exposure to cold, and some- 

 times cold and wet after the horse has been over- 

 heated in hot weather ; all which obstruct the 

 perspiration, and by this means a congestion and 

 inflammation are induced in the internal parts. 



The symptoms are always attended with a 

 fever, as the horse appearing dull, restless, breath- 

 ing quickened, loss of appetite, mouth dry and hot. 

 The dung looks generally very slimy, and com- 

 monly accompanied with scouring, and painful 

 efforts to expel the fgeces, while at the same time 

 hardened dung is retained in the bowels ; some- 

 times, in the beginning of the complaint, the dung 

 is of the common consistence, and only differs in 

 having a greasy aspect over its surface ; his blood, 

 when cold, will exhibit a buffy or straw-coloured 

 coat on the top of the red or coagulated parts, 

 which is the case in all internal inflammations. A 

 skinny substance is often seen along with the dung. 



