CHAPTER VII. 

 DISEASES OF THE ALIMENTARY SYSTEM. 



GENERAL REMARKS ON DISEASE OF THE 

 ALIMENTARY CANAL. 



Diseases of the alimentary canal are in most instances due 

 to dietetic errors. 



We have already considered several diseases, diabetes, 

 broken wind, oxaluria, azoturia, and others, which are also 

 traceable to errors in feeding. Diseases of the alimentary 

 tract are especially important from two points of view, for 

 not only are they among the most common of all forms of 

 diseases in the horse, but they are at the same time the 

 most easily guarded against by careful management of the 

 diet. 



In the horse the intestinal tract is more liable to disease 

 than the stomach, whereas in the ox and sheep the stomach 

 more frequently suffers. This is in all probability due to 

 the fact that in the horse the stomach is much less complex 

 than in ruminants, and is also smaller in proportion to the 

 rest of the intestines than in the cud-chewing animals. 



In consequence of this the process of digestion begun 

 in the stomach is largely completed in the intestines in the 

 horse. 



Professor Williams points out the important fact that 

 easily digested food taken in excess is liable to derange the 



