154 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OK 



where the bowels are distended to a great extent. Puncture in the right 

 or left side, but generally in the right side, and in the most distended 

 part betwt en the iilium and the last rib, and pass the trochar slightly 

 downward. It is best to first make an incision, as the canula will come 

 out easier, and is not so liable to irritate the parts. Do not be too rash 

 in using the trochar, for if gastro-enteritis is present death will result, 

 and the owner would lay the death to the use of the trochar. If you fail 

 to strike the colon you can puncture again, and if a liquid passes instead 

 of a gas, it is unfavourable, but I had such a case to recover. I recom- 

 mend each one of you to get a trochar, and if properly used it will do 

 you credit. There is not much danger in puncturing. There may be an 

 abscess, but it is not very serious, and even peritonitis may supervene, 

 but that is the exception and not the rule. A horse should be carefully 

 used for some time. Acute indigestion may terminate in laminitis. 



DISEASES OF THE INTESTINE. 



Rupture of the Stomach is a sequel of acute indigestion. If an 

 animal has suffered from acute indigestion pretty violently for several 

 hours, and becomes quieter, the pulse weaker and weaker, the mucous 

 membranes become pale and blanch, which were reddened a short time 

 previous, and the animal attempts to sit upon the haunches and wist- 

 fully looks at the flanks, the ears cold, etc., the chances are that it is 

 rupture. These are also symptomatic of intus-susception, volvulus, calcu- 

 lus, etc. Kegurgitation is another sign, but I think that it takes place 

 before rupture, for if the e is a considerable rupture the food passes into 

 the abdominal cavity, and I do not think that vomitism can then occur. 

 There is generally spas:iioJie breathing and death in perhaps three or 

 four hours; but I think I have known an animal to live ten or twelve 

 hom:s after rupture occurred. Nothing d^n be done for it. 



Chronic indigestion, or Dyspepsia. — This is common, and may 

 result from a disorder of the stomach or intestines, derangement of the 

 liver and irritation of or shedding of the teeth, but generally from the 

 stomach, caused by injudicious feeding on over-stimulating food Clover 

 is apt to produce it by causing an over-acidity of the stomach. 



Symptoms are not very alarming or violent. The horse falls off in con- 

 dition, perspires more freely when at work, the coat appears dry, dusty 

 and staring, the pulse slow and weak, the feces are of a lead or clay 

 colour, or, in some cases, somewhat dark, varying with the food to some 

 extent. The animal is, perhaps, subject to slight attacks of colic, and 

 has a depraved appetite — he will, perhaps, lick the lime from the walls. 

 This is, perhaps, a craving of nature to overcome the acidity of the 

 stomach. 



Treatment.— Oxdiev a change of food. No matter how he has been fed, 

 order a change, and in most cases give a moderate dose of physic — fro aa 

 five to eight drachms of aloes, and feed carefully for a few days, and in 

 some cases you may combine calomel with the aloes, if there is any 

 derangement of the liver. But I am no great advocate of the use of 

 calomel ; also, use anti acids, carbonate of soda and ginger in a ball, or 

 drench with water, or in the food, if the animal will eat it. If there is 

 weakness, give beer with one and a-half drachms of gentian or ginger, 

 and after a week or two give tonics. But I think harm is sometimes 

 done by giving tonics before the system is prepared for them. Give sul- 

 phate of iion, or even a little arsenic with it, or give sulphate of quinine. 

 Perhaps the great secret in treating this disease is a change of diet. 



