FEEDING SICK HORSES 99 



or drenching gruel into a sick horse is a very dangerous 

 one, and must be condemned entirely. If there is one 

 occasion on which it is more reprehensible than another, 

 it is when the horse is suffering from any respiratory 

 disease, and frequent drenching under these circum- 

 stances will inevitably result in mechanical pneumonia 

 from food getting down the wind-pipe. To keep up an 

 animal's strength, liquid foods can be given as nutrient 

 enemata, and although very little digestion takes place 

 in the bowel, some small amount of nutriment is 

 absorbed. Where the expense is warranted, pre-digested 

 foods* may be given in this way, in which case absorp- 

 tion is easy and the benefit to the animal considerable. 



Frequently it happens that where all food put in the 

 manger is steadily refused, a horse will take from his 

 owner or attendant such things as carrots, apples, 

 cabbages, lettuce, and bread ; and although the nutriment 

 contained in the quantities given may be almost negli- 

 gible, the act of mastication and the taste of an appetizing 

 mouthful may persuade the horse to eat from his 

 manger or rack. 



In cases of sore throat, in acute laryngitis, pharyngitis, 

 etc., there is often difficulty in swallowing, and here 

 sloppy mashes, linseed-tea, and other liquid foods must 

 be relied on. If swallowing is impossible, rectal feeding 

 becomes necessary if the patient's strength is to be 

 maintained. 



Many diseases of the digestive system are due to im- 

 proper feeding. It may be that one (or more) of the 

 ingredients of the ration is quite unsuitable, and in 

 treating the sickness this substance must obviously be 



"^ Among others may be mentioned Banger's Food and Horlick's 

 Malted Milk. 



