160 CAtSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



of the intestine. When they obstruct the passage there is obstinate con- 

 stipation, the pulse forty or fifty-two ; by and by the symptoms become 

 similar to enteritis, but are more prolonged ; he sits upon the haunches ; 

 the last is symptomatic of volvulus, intus-susception, gorged stomach, 

 calculus, concretions, etc , and if a horse has been suffering acute pain 

 for several hours, and has the above symptoms, cold sweats, etc., it may 

 be any of the diseases spoken of. 



Treatment.— U the pain is violent endeavour to relieve it with opinm, 

 and it is good practice to examine the rectum by introducing your hand 

 carefully, and you may find some hard body, or it may be from obstinate 

 constipation. It is generally from twenty-four to thirty-six hours before 

 death takes place after the bowels are completely obstructed. 



Constipation. — In many cases this cannot be said to be a disease of 

 itself, but a symptom of some other disease, but is sometimes a disease 

 of itself, and may proceed from various causes ; from intestinal concre- 

 tions ; an undue amount of feces in the intestines ; from too rapid or 

 from too great absorption of the fluids, and from liver disorders ; and 

 when the animal suffers from any fever there is constipation ; also in- 

 ferior food of any kind ; a large amount of oats and a small amount of 

 hay ; and pea and barley straw, etc. The muscular fibres of the colon 

 and rectum become paralyzed to a certain extent, and are not able to 

 expel the feces. Feeding over-ripe grass causes indigestion, and is liable 

 to affect the brain in many cases, but roots are more liable to produce 

 acute indigestion, flatulence, etc , than obstinate constipation. 



Symptoms. — If it is a pure case there is scarcely any feces passed, the 

 animal is dull and sluggish, slightly tympanitic in some cases, and shows 

 more or less abdominal pain, but not much ; lies down, rolls, looks at 

 the sides ; the pulse not much changed, perhaps forty or fifty; and by 

 examination you may find the rectum completely impacted, and it may 

 be necessary to remove the contents every day for some time. 



Treatment. — If the bowels are obstinately constipated give a dose of 

 purgative medicine, and it is good practice to combine with stimulants ; 

 give six, eight or nine drachms of aloes, or one drachm of calomel, once, 

 twice or three times a day, or nux vomica, and give injections, and, if 

 necessary, remove the contents of the rectum with the hand. Use an 

 infusion of tobacco— one ounce of tobacco, cut up, and pour boiling water 

 over it, and strain it through a cloth, then add a little soap and lard, and 

 inject, which will cause relaxation of the bowels ; if there is pain give an 

 opiate, or hypodermic injections ; I would prefer the latter. Or, instead 

 of tobacco, use turpentine in water for injections, one-half ounce to one 

 ounce. You may cause irritation by using too much soap in injections. 

 If 3'ou make up your mind that it is a pure case of constipation, never 

 hesitate in giving a dose of aloes, and follow by a diffusible or nervous 

 stimulant. There might be an exceptional case, where you might have 

 recourse to croton oil, and if so, put two or three drops inside a ball, and 

 give it carefully, and do not let the animal chew it. 



Habitual Costiveness, where there is slight constipation, is best 

 treated by regulating the food, or by any mild remedy, such as carbonate 

 of soda, but if it is due to some disease of some organ, as the liver, then you 

 may have recourse to potassium. Purgatives may relieve for a time, but 

 it will return ; however, in some cases you may give a slight laxative, 

 linseed oil, castor oil or sweet oil. 



Diarrhoea consists in the undue passage of liquid feces, due to a slight 

 congested state of the alimentary canal. It is most frequently seen in 

 horses of a weak conformation, as a narrow chest and loins. 



