114 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



of bulky food containing an excess of indigestible residue ; old, dry, 

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

 intestinal tracts ; lack of water ; want of exercise, medicines, etc. 



Symptoms. Impaction of the large bowels is to be diagnosed 

 by a slight abdominal pain, which may disappear for a day or two 

 to reappear with more violence. The feces are passed somewhat 

 more frequently, but in smaller quantities and more dry; the ab- 

 domen is full, but not distended with gas ; the horse at first is noticed 

 to paw and soon begins to look back at his sides. Probably one of 

 the most characteristic symptoms is the position assumed when 

 down. He lies flat on his side, head and legs extended, occasion- 

 ally raising his head to look toward his flank ; he remains on his side 

 from five to fifteen minutes at a time. Evidently this position is the 

 one giving the most freedom from pain. He rises at times, walks 

 about the stall, paws, looks at his sides, backs up against the stall, 

 which he presses with his tail, and soon lies down again, assuming 

 his favored position. The intestinal sounds, as heard by applying 

 the ear to the flank, are diminished, or there is no sound, indicating 

 absence of motion of the bowels. The bowels may cease entirely to 

 move. The pressure of the distended intestine upon the bladder 

 may cause the horse to make frequent attempts 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 feeble. Horses 

 may suffer from impaction of the bowels for a week, yet eventually 

 recover, and cases extending two or even three weeks have ended fa- 

 vorably. As a rule, however, they seldom last over four or five days, 

 many, in fact, dying sooner than this. 



The treatment consists of efforts to produce movement of the 

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

 large cathartic is to be given as early as possible. Either of the fol- 

 lowing is .recommended : Powdered Barbados aloes 1 ounce, calomel 

 2 drams, and powdered nux vomica 1 dram; or linseed oil 1 pint 

 and proton oil 15 drops ; or from 1 pint to one quart of castor oil may 

 be given. Some favor the administration of Epsom or Glauber's 

 salts, 1 pound, with one-quarter pound of common salt, claiming 

 that this causes the horse to drink largely of water, and thus me- 

 chanically softening the impacted mass and favoring its expulsion. 

 Whichever physic is selected, it is essential that a full dose be given. 

 This is much better than small and repeated doses. It must be 

 borne in mind that horses require about twenty-four hours in which 

 to respond to a physic, and under no circumstances are physics to 

 be repeated sooner than this. If aloes has been given and has failed 

 to operate at the proper time, oil or some different cathartic should 

 then be administered. Allow the horse all the water he will drink. 

 Calomel may be administered in half-dram doses, the powder being 

 placed on the tongue, one dose every two hours until four doses are 

 given. 



Enemas of glycerin, 2 to 4 ounces, are often 'beneficial. Rub- 

 bing or kneading of the abdominal walls and the application of 

 stimulating liniments or strong mustard water will also, at times, 



