THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 145 



testines, ulcerations and mortification. The intestines are ob- 

 structed, twisted, and one part frequently dips, into another, so as 

 to entirely block up the channel. Combine the symptoms of 

 these two diseases, and we have a case of g •astro-enteritis. We 

 must remember that in the horse the inflammation extends more 

 rapidly, and diffuses itself to other tissues, and that, ere ulceration 

 or gangrene have set in, the animal frequently dies. 



The symptoms of gastro-enteritis, in the horse, have thus been 

 described by D'Arboval : " When the disorder sets in rapidly, it 

 is indicated by dejection, dulness, slight anxiety, head depend- 

 ent and heavy, and hanging in the manger ; infiltration of the 

 eyelids, which are half closed ; reddening with yellowness of the 

 conjunctiva ; tearful eyes ; deep and jerking respiration. Soon 

 the mucous membranes acquire the same hue as the conjunctiva, 

 and are at times infiltrated and tumefied. To these symptoms 

 are joined loss of appetite, often sudden ; a dry, clammy, foul 

 tongue, red at the upper part and around the borders ; more or 

 less thirst ; stiffness of the spine and hind legs, with difficulty in 

 moving, and swelling of the latter ; staggering gait ; weariness ; 

 alternate heats and chills about the ears; pulse at the com- 

 mencement full, strong, and quick ; afterwards small, hard, and 

 thready. The belly becomes tense, but has rather a tucked-up 

 than inflated appearance. On some occasions the attack is so 

 sudden that the horse, saddled or harnessed, experiences all at 

 once a remarkable heaving of the flanks, dilatation of the nostrils, 

 dependence or incurvation of the head, griping pains, partial tre- 

 mors of the muscles of the shoulder and stifle, staggering, some- 

 times squatting upon the haunches, or falling down and reposing 

 the head upon the ground. Most horses cannot lie down ; many 

 maintain the erect position evidently with pain ; others fear to 

 move lest they fall. The vital powers seem to concentrate them- 

 selves inwardly; the skin becomes insensible; the coat loses i(s 

 gloss, and turns dry and penfeathered ; prostration supervenes ; 

 the discharges are rare and scanty; the dungballs small, dry, 

 blackish, and coated ; the urine, equally scanty, is at one time 

 reddened, at another limpid and crude, and not expelled without 

 effort. Most horses, during the height of their complaint, will, 

 13 



