CHAPTEK VII. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE, URINARY, NERVOUS, AND LYMPHATIC 



SYSTEMS. 



Diseases of the Digestive Systkm. 

 spasmodic colic — gripes. 



I Plate XII. > 



Spasmodic colic is a painful contraction of the intestines. The 

 usual scat of the trouble is the small intestines, and it is usually 

 caused by indigestible or chilled food or drink, and frequently by 

 sudden chilling of the body. 



Symptoms. — The suffering is very violent but of short duration; 

 the spasms appear suddenly and disappear with the same rapidity. 

 The horse paws, stamps, looks around at his flanks, lies dov n and 

 rolls, and if the pain is very severe, sweats profusely. During the 

 attack a few pellets of dung may be passed, and attempts to pass 

 urine arc frequently made. This latter symptom has misled many 

 persons to the impression that the disease was located in the "urinary 

 organs." 



Treatment. — Place the animal in a large, well-bedded stall and 

 give the following: Cannabis indica 2 to 4 drams, aromatic spirits 

 ammonia 1 ounce, water to make 1 pint. Or, fluid extract bella- 

 donna 2 drams, nitrous ether 2 ounces, water to make 1 pint. Either 

 one of these prescriptions can be giveD at one dose and repeated in 

 three-quarters of an hour. If the animal is not relieved in one hour, 

 pve a purgative of aloes (physic ball). 



"Warm-water injections, per rectum, are often of advantage. 



FLATULENT COLIC. 



Flatulent colic is generally due to the animal having eaten im- 

 proper foods, such as musty oats, sour bran, green corn, etc., which 

 interfere with the process of digestion and give off much gas. It is 

 sometimes caused merely by a sudden change of diet from oats to 

 corn. This trouble is also frequently observed in horses that have 

 t he hahit of wind sucking. 

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