154 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



Causes. — As a general thing diarrhoea is the result of 

 improper feeding. A too sudden change from light food of 

 poor quality to heavy rich food often accounts for it. The 

 feeding of roots — turnips or carrots — especially if frozen, the 

 drinking of stagnant water which acts as a blood poison, an 

 overdose of physic (superpurgation) are some of the many 

 causes which might often be avoided. Sometimes severe 

 cases are the result of sand being taken into the stomach be- 

 cause of feeding in pasture where the grass is short, sand 

 having an irritating effect. Excitement is a common cause, 

 especially with race horses or excitable road horses. 



Symptoms. — Diarrhoea is very easily detected, there being 

 a passage of much watery looking manure. An examination 

 of the pulse shows it to be but little affected at first, but if 

 the disease is allowed to run on it becomes quick and weak. 

 He has a poor appetite and soon becomes gaunt and weak 

 looking. In time the legs become colder than usual, and be- 

 cause of the irritation and spasms of the bowels there will 

 be slight pain. The appearance of pain is a serious symptom, 

 indicating that the congested condition of the bowels unless 

 relieved may terminate in inflammation. 



Treatment. — In many cases it will be only necessary to 

 change the food, clothe the body according to the season, 

 and give a little medicine. Ascertain as nearly as possible 

 the cause. If it be irritation — the result of eating sand or 

 some other indigestible substance — give the following: 



Raw Linseed Oil V* pint 



Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Ginger 1 dessertspoonful. 



Bicarbonate of Soda 1 dessertspoonful.. 



Mix and give as a drench. This will assist nature to get 

 rid of that which is the cause of the trouble. If the presence 

 of sand or other irritable substances is not suspected, give: 



Tincture of Catechu 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Ginger 1 dessertspoonful. 



Bicarbonate of Soda 1 dessertspoonful. 



Mix in a pint of ordinary coffee and give as a dench. 

 Repeat every four or five hours until relieved. It is quite 

 probable that the patient will exhibit signs of being thirsty. 

 Give him lukewarm water containing a handful of flour fre- 

 quently but in small quantities. Feed dry feed and keep him 

 as quiet as possible. In severe cases it is Avell to apply a 

 mustard plaster over the bowels and a bag containing a half 

 pail of hot salt over the kidneys. 



