DISEASES OF THE BOWELS. 715 



intestinal mucous membrane generally, concentrated in many 

 cases in that of the csecum caput coli ; a thick, tarry appearance 

 of the blood, and extreme blackness, congestion, or apoplexy of 

 the lungs, the blood being, as it were, deprived of its watery 

 elements, altered in its composition, rendered too viscid to circu- 

 late through the pulmonary capillaries, and so altered chemically 

 as to be rendered unfit for perfect oxidation. 



In order to prevent the occurrence of superpurgation after the 

 administration of an aloetic, or, more particularly, a mercurial 

 and aloetic purgative, it is necessary that the practitioner should 

 order the animal to be fed on an easily digestible diet, such 

 as warm bran mashes ; that the quantity of water should be 

 restricted, and that the chill be taken off it, for nothing is so apt 

 to induce inordinate intestinal action as large quantities of cold 

 water whilst the animal is in physic. It is also necessary that 

 no green food, roots, or other articles of diet, containing much 

 water, and laxative in themselves, should be allowed at this 

 period. If a purgative does not seem to take effect in from 

 twenty to twenty-four hours after its administration, moderate 

 walking exercise is to be prescribed, for it is a fact that the 

 longer a purgative is retained in the body, the greater the 

 danger from its superaction ; if, however, purging has actually 

 commenced, exercise, by increasing it, is apt to cause harm. It 

 is therefore necessary to keep the horse quiet until the x^hysic 

 has " set." 



TREATMENT. 



So long as the horse remains moderately lively, the pulse but 

 slightly accelerated, the countenance natural, and so long as 

 some appetite remains, it is unnecessary to take any active 

 measures to restrain the purging, which is the natural and 

 physiological response of the intestines to the action of the 

 cathartic ; it is therefore irrational and dangerous to check it, 

 and all that is requisite is to allow the horse to partake of 

 demulcent drinks, such- as thin flour gruel, if it will do so spon- 

 taneously, at the same time keeping it perfectly still, warmly 

 clad, and taking care that it does not drink too freely of any- 

 thing whatever. Should there be any colicky pains, moderate 

 doses of opium are to be administered. Care, however, must be 

 taken that the purging be not checked even by these means too 



