DIARRHCEA. 141 



CHAP. XXIX. 



DIARRHCEA, OR LOOSENESS. 



Horses are not so liable to this disease as many 

 other animals ; yet persons who are in considerable 

 practice frequently meet with cases of this kind. 

 Diarrhoea may proceed either from an increased 

 secretion of bile, or from the want of a proper 

 absorption of the fluid part of the faeces. The 

 dung, for the most part, appears in a liquid form ; 

 and on every little exertion he is constantly void- 

 ing it in small quantities. This disease often pro- 

 ceeds from cold, hard-riding, over-feeding, or from 

 eating unwholesome food ; and sometimes from a 

 morbid change in the secretions of the stomach and 

 intestines. It may also be occasioned by a sudden 

 check of perspiration, or by taking cold. It may 

 be distinguished from molten-grease, by the dung 

 being more copious and liquid, and not having 

 that slimy appearance, but looks like the natural 

 dung, only more liquid, and also from there being 

 little or no fever in diarrhoea (see Fever), and not 

 attended with those painful efforts to expel the 

 contents of the bowels, as what there is in molten- 

 grease ; and moreover, diarrhoea is more common 

 in winter and cold weather, which is not the case 



