DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 317 



direct line of the intestines, and crossing each other at right 

 angles ; and the inner coating, the villous or mucous mem- 

 brane, which is spread, not only over the surface of the 

 bowels throughout, but, as we have seen, over a portion of 

 that of the stomach also. 



In enteritis, it is usually the jejunum, or airy subdivision 

 of the small intestines, which is the seat of disease. Stric- 

 ture, or stoppage, follows inflammation, and, in turn, pro- 

 duces spasms of the bowels; and hence the disorder speci- 

 fically known as spasmodic colic. Under the s^^mpathetic 

 influences of the feverish state of the bowels, the food sours 

 in the stomach, and the carbonic acid gas which is evolved 

 escapes into the intestines, here becoming greatly expanded 

 and rarified by the abnormal heat of the parts. Painful 

 distension is speedily the result. As the gas irritates the 

 sensitive membrane, and increases the fever, so the fever, in 

 turn, continues more and more to expand the gas and air. 

 And now arises the peril of a grave and peculiar complica- 

 tion. Whenever this distension occurs in any portion of the 

 bowels, there is nearly always an equal contraction in the 

 parts just beyond. As a net when pulled out in one part 

 draws in at another, in like manner this distension and con- 

 traction reciprocally affect each other, until, at length, the 

 bowels become firmly locked up, affording no passage what- 

 ever. This constitutes a stricture. 



The horse experiences great and increasing distress, and 

 soon spasms set in. These appear to subside, at length, but 

 presently they come on again, with redoubled violence. The 

 poor suflerer sweats profusely, especially about the shoulders 

 and sides, ^.nd scarcely less about the neck and head. He 

 shakes and trembles constantly, twitching the muscles of his 

 body convulsively; he paws with his fore-feet, and putting 

 them out, tries to stretch himself; he throws his head around 

 to the side, as if to indicate where the pain is. Suddenly he 

 lies down, and, endeavoring to roll over on his back, in thatr 

 position strikes the fore-feet violently against the chest, and 

 then as suddenly springs to his feet again. Throwing back 



