CONSTIPATION. 411 



which may also be found to be in a highly irritable condition, 

 caused by frequent straining on the part of the animal 

 whilst endeavouring to expel the faeces. 



Treatment. — The treatment of constipation must be prompt, 

 energetic, and careful. A full dose of cathartic medicine 

 should be exhibited, aloes being probably the best agent to 

 administer under the circumstances. Carminatives should be 

 combined with the purgative to prevent griping. Enemas 

 should be freely employed, to remove all hardened fieces 

 from the rectum and the colon. Xerve stimulants, as well 

 as diffasible stimulants, will be found highly beneficial, par- 

 ticularly if the occurrence of paralysis of the bowels is feared. 

 Tobacco smoke, enemas, or injections of a decoction of 

 tobacco and lard, are of the greatest service. The hand 

 and arm, after being well lubricated, may be passed into the 

 rectum and the hardened faeces removed, if any are present. 

 It may be necessary to remove the faeces with the hand 

 every day for a week or two, if there is partial or complete 

 paralysis of the rectum. Calomel or croton oil should never 

 be used. In chronic constipation change the food, give 

 roots, grass, etc., nerve stimulants, soda bicarb., tonics, etc. 



DIARRHCEA. 



Diarrhoea consists of the passage of an undue quantity of 

 liquid faeces. It is common amongst horses and cattle, and, 

 in a majority of cases, occurs as a symptom of some other 

 disease, as acute indigestion, enteritis, etc., but also occurs 

 as an independent condition. There is always more or less 

 congestion of the bowels in a case of diarrhoea. 



Causes. — Diarrhoea may be caused by giving rich and 

 succulent food to an animal that is not accustomed to it, 

 the incautious use of purgatives is another cause, producing 

 superpurgation, which is one of the w^orst forms of diarrhoea. 



