52 BUREAU OF a:^:imal industry. 



anything that closes the opening of the stomach into the intestines, 

 and ver}' violent pulling or jumping iuunediately after the animal has 

 oiitou hc-ailil}' of bullvv food. These or similar causes may lead to 

 this accident. 



The st/wptoiiis of rupture of the stomach are not constant or always 

 reliable. Always make inquir^'^ as to what and how much the horse 

 has been fed at the last meal. Vomiting may precede rupture of this 

 organ, as stated above. This accident appears to be most likeh^ to 

 occur in heav}' draft horses. A prominent symptom observed (though 

 it ma}' also occur in diaphragmatic hernia) is where the horse, if pos- 

 sible, gets the front feet on higher ground than the hind ones or sits 

 on his haunches, like a dog. This position affords relief to some 

 extent, and it will be maintained for some minutes; it is also quicklj- 

 regained when the horse has changed it for some other. Colicky 

 s3'mpLoms, of course, are present, and these will varj^ much and pre- 

 sent no diagnostic value. As the case progresses "the horse will 

 often stretch forward the fore legs, lean backward and downward 

 until the belly nearl}" touches the ground, and then rise up again with 

 a groan, after which the fluid from his nostrils is issued in increased 

 quantity." The pulse is fast and weak, breathing hurried, body 

 bathed in a clammy sweat, limbs tremble violently^ the horse reels or 

 staggers from side to side, and death quickly ends the scene. 



In the absence of nwy pathognomonic symptom we must take into 

 account the histor}- of the case; the symptoms of colic that cease sud- 

 denly and are succeeded by cold sweats and tremors; the pulse quick 

 and small and thread}^, growing weak and more frequent, and at 

 length running down and becoming altogether imperceptible; looking 

 back at the Hank and groaning; sometimes crouching with the hind 

 quarters; with or without eructation and vomiting. 



There is no treatmeid that can be of an}^ use whatever. Could we 

 be sure of our diagnosis it would be better to destroy' the animal at 

 once. Since, however, there is alwa3's the possil^iiity of a mistake in 

 diagnosis, we may give powdered opium in 1-dram doses every two or 

 three hours, with the object of keeping the stomach as quiet as possible. 



(2) Obstkuction colic. — The stomach or bowels may be obstructed 

 ^>\ accumulations of parti}' digested food (fecal matter), by foreign bod- 

 ies, by displacements, by paralysis, or b}' abnormal growths. 



Impaction of the large intestines. — This is a very conmion bowel 

 trouble and one which, if not promptly recognized and properly 

 treated, results in death. It is caused by overfeeding, especially of 

 bulky food containing an excess of indigestible residue; old, dry, hard 

 hay, or stalks when large h'^ fed; deficiency of secretions of the intesti- 

 nal tract; lack of water; want of exercise, medicines, etc. 



