382 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. . 



CHAPTER XYIL 



Diseases of the Stomach and Intestines. 



SIMPLE INDIGESTION. 



Diseases of an organic nature in these i^arts are not 

 common, but functional derangement of the diges- 

 tive system is very common. AYhen a horse is con- 

 stantly fed on bulky, coarse food the stomach becomes 

 distended. The distension taking place at the expense of 

 the walls of the stomach, the walls become attenuated, and 

 when any acute form of disease attacks the stomach, 

 rupture of the viscus is likelier to occur than if the horse 

 had been properly fed, and consequently the stomach in a 

 normal condition. When the food does not digest properly, 

 a condition known as indigestion becomes established. In 

 a large majority of cases the intestines are involved. In- 

 digestion occurs in the chronic, acute, and simple forms. 

 In the human being it is known as dyspepsia. In the 

 horse digestion goes on very cjuickly : the stomach of the 

 animal being very small in proportion to the size of the 

 body, this is one of the wise provisions of nature, and 

 allows the horse to undergo more or less severe exertion 

 aft-er a full meal without any great amount of inconvenience. 



Simple indigestion is by no means uncommon in the 

 horse, and may be caused by sharp and projecting teeth, 

 poor quality of food, etc. 



Symptoms. — The animal suddenly falls off in condition, 

 and may become considerably emaciated ; the condition 

 known as hide-bound makes its appearance as a symptom ; 

 the coat is staring and dead-looking, and there is a general 

 appearance of unthriftiness. Slight but frequent attacks of 

 colic occur; the bowels are irregular, sometimes constipation 



