56 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



It ma}" occur during the existence of almost any abdominal trouble, as 

 diarrhea, inflammation of the bowels, or from injuries, exposure to coid, 

 etc. A fall or leaping may give the initial maldircction. Foals are 

 most likeh' to be thus afflicted. 



Sijmptoms. — Unless the invaginated portion of the gut becomes 

 strangulated, probabl}^ no symptoms will be appreciable, except con- 

 stipation. Strangulation of the bowel may take place suddenly, and 

 the horse die v.ithin twenty-four hours, or it ma}' occur after several 

 days — a week even — and death follow at this time. There are no symp- 

 toms positively diagnostic. Colicky pains, more or less severe and 

 continuous, are observed, and there may be at first diarrhea followed 

 by constipation. Severe straining occurs in some instances of intus- 

 susception, and this should be given due credit when it occurs. As 

 death approaches the horse sweats profusely, sighs, presents an anx- 

 ious countenance, the legs and ears become cold, and there is often 

 freedom from pain immediately before death. In some rare instances 

 the horse recovers, even though the invaginated portion of the gut 

 has become strangulated. In this case the imprisoned portion sloughs 

 away so gradually that a union has taken place between the intestines 

 at the point vfhere one portion has slipped into that behind it. The 

 piece sloughing off is found passed with the manure. Such cases arc 

 exceedingly rare. Nonirritating laxatives, such as castor oil. sweet 

 oil, or calomel in small doses should be given, and creolin in 2-dram 

 doses in a pint of warm water. Soft feed and mucilaginous and nour- 

 ishing drinks should be given during these attacks. E. Mayhew 

 jMichener has operated successfully on a foal with intussusception by 

 opening the abdomen and releasing the imprisoned gut. 



Volvulus^ gut-tie, or twisting of the howels. — These are the terms 

 applied to the bowels wheji twisted or knotted. This accident is rather 

 a common one, and frequently results from the violent manner in Avhich 

 a horse throws himself about wdien attacked by spasmodic colic. The 

 symptoms are the same as those of intussusception and obstructions 

 of the bowels; the same directions as to treatment are therefore to 

 be observed. 



Paralysis of the intestine. — This occurs in old, debilitated animals 

 that have been fed on coarse innutritious fodder. This produces 

 a condition of dilatation so pronounced as to make it impossible for 

 tlie intestine to advance its contents, and so obstruction results. The 

 symptoms. are as in other forms of obstruction colic. The history of 

 the case is of much service in diagnosing the trouble. The treatment 

 consists in the administration of laxatives. One may give 1 quart of 

 raw linseed oil and follow it the next day with 1 pound of Glauber's 

 salts dissolved in a quart of warm water. Strychnia may be given in 

 doses of 1 grain two or three times daily. If the stagnant mass of 

 feces is in the rectum, it must be removed with the hand. 



