DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 53 



Symptoms. — Impaction of the large bowels is to be diagnosed b}- a 

 slight abdominal pain, which may disappear for a day or two to reap- 

 pear with more violence. The feces are passed somewhat more fre- 

 quenth", but in smaller quantities and more dry; the abdomen is full, 

 but not distended with gas; the horse at first is noticed to paw and 

 soon begins to look back at his sides. Probably one of the most char- 

 acteristic symptoms is the position assumed when down. He lies flat 

 on his side, head and legs extended, occasionally raising his head to 

 look toward his flank; he remains on his side for from five to fifteen 

 minutes at a time. Evidently this position is the one giving the most 

 freedom from pain. He rises at times, walks about the stall, paws, 

 looks at his sides, backs up against the stall, which he presses with his 

 tail, and soon lies down again, assuming his favored position. The 

 intestinal sounds, as heard by applying the ear to the ilank, are dimin- 

 ished, or there is no sound, indicating absence of motion of the bowels. 

 The l)owels may cease entirely to move. The pressure of the dis- 

 tended intestine upon the bladder ma}" cause the horse to make frec[uent 

 attempts to urinate. The pulse is but little changed at first, being 

 full and sluggish; later, if this condition is not overcome, it becomes 

 rapid and feeble. Horses may suffer from impaction of the bowels for 

 a week, yet eventually recover, and cases extending two or even three 

 weeks have ended favorablv- As a rule, however, they seldom lust 

 o^er four or five days, man}-, in fact, dj- ing sooner than 'this. 



The treatnient consists of efforts to i)roduce movement of the bowels 

 and to prevent inflammation of the same from arising. A large 

 cathartic is to be given as early as possible. Either of the follow- 

 ing arc recommended: Powdered Barbados aloes 1 ounce, calomel 2 

 drams, and powdered nux vomica 1 dram; or linseed oil 1 pint and 

 croton oil 15 drops; or from 1 pint to 1 quart of castor oil may be 

 given. Some favor the administration of Epsom or Glauber's salts, 

 1 pound, with one-quarter pound of common salt, claiming that this 

 causes the horse to drink largel}" of water, and thus mechanically 

 softening the impacted mass and favoring its expulsion. Whichever 

 physic is selected, it is essential that Vifull dose be given. This is 

 much better than small and repeated dose:;. It must be borne in mind 

 that horses require about twenty-four hours in which to respond to a 

 physic, and under no circumstances are physics to be repeated sooner 

 than this. If aloes has been given and has failed to operate at the 

 proper time, oil or some different cathartic should then be adminis- 

 tered. All'jw the horse all the water he will drink. Calomel may be 

 administered in half-dram doses, the powder being placed on the 

 tongue, one dose every two hours until four doses are given. 



Enemas of glycerin, 2 'o 4 ounces, are often beneficial. Rubbing 

 or kneading of the abdominal walls and the application of stimulating 

 liniments or strong mustard water will also, at times, favor the expui- 



