DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT 187 



Some water has unquestionably a predisposition 

 to stone, notably chalk, and, after great agony, the 

 horse refuses to work, groans in agony piteously, 

 turns his nose from the mancjer to the side 

 nearest the stone, as if drawing attention to this 

 painful disease which has come on gradually, the 

 calculus or stone increasing in size until, unless a 

 skilful operation be performed by a first-rate 

 practical vet, the horse is relieved from intense 

 suffering by death. 



Constipation is another common disease which 

 might be avoided if the groom drew his master's 

 attention to the fact that the horse needed less 

 constipatory food, more exercise, and a little 

 linseed mixed with a bran mash once or twice a 

 week. Instead, week after week the horse gets 

 more constipated, and a ball is given ; if by an 

 unskilful person, the patient's tongue is either 

 lacerated, or the giver of the ball gets his hand 

 bitten. 



