DIARRHOEA. 399 



resulting from the last cause ; thus a light belly is often 

 found with occasional diarrhoea ; or it may arise from a de- 

 bility in the intestines themselves. A weakened state of the 

 bowels, inclining to this affection, is often brought on by 

 drastic purges. It may likewise spring from the intestines 

 containing some offensive matter, which nature is striving 

 to cast out ; little dung being emitted at a time. 



It may also be occasioned by the sudden application of 

 cold, whereby the exhalent vessels of the skin becoming 

 checked, more fluid is necessarily thrown on the intestines ; 

 and which operates not only by increasing their quantity, 

 but likewise by the addition of something foreign, hence 

 irritating to them. In these cases, which are marked with 

 thirst and increased pulse, the restoration of the healthy 

 action of the skin is necessary to a cure ; and as the balance 

 of power has been in favour of the intestines, it would be 

 desirable now to turn it in favour of the skin, by making 

 use of the few horse diaphoretics we know of, as antimony, 

 warm clothing, &c. &c. ; and by avoiding the use of outward 

 astringents. 



The treatment. — In general cases, when the motion is 

 copious, little need be done. Nature is then relieving her- 

 self, and requires little more than warmth and a change of 

 diet. If constitutional, we must palliate by a mild but con- 

 stant check on the existing causes : a light-bellied horse 

 should not be worked severely several days together ; avoid 

 too much water, or too early labour directly after meals. 

 Let the feeces be examined : if the food passes away un- 

 digested, the stomach requires tonics to restore its tone ; but 

 if it be a recent attack, examine well for the probable cause. 

 Has it followed any undue exposure, any violent exertion, 

 any change of food, m\y great difference in the warmth of 

 the stable ? Is the water good in quality ; are the oats, or is 

 the hay new ? If none of these causes operate, we must first 

 make ourselves aware that it is the faecal discharge which 

 passes, for such appearances have concealed an obstinate 

 constipation. Being convinced of the diarrhoea, commence 

 the cure by mild astringents. It sometimes happens, when 

 diarrhoea has been long continued, it seems to pervade the 

 whole alimentary track, so that, at the last, the caecum and 

 rectum become equally affected; then dysentery is esta- 



