CRIBBITING. 401 



affected, the case must be treated as one of a mild hepatic 

 affection, cautiously guarding, however, against any ap- 

 proach to salivation. 



SCOURING IN CALVES. 



From a morbid stomach secretion, calves are very prone 

 to diarrhoea. The chief cause, however, is irregularity in 

 the feeding, both as to quantity and quality ; the slightest 

 inattention to these points soon brings on this disorder. 

 To remedy diarrhoea, graziers give the calves chalk to lick. 

 When looseness has appeared they also give chalk in milk 

 (which is a good domestic remedy), as well as starch or bean 

 flour boiled in their food. But when these fail, give the 

 following, which is almost certain in its good effects : — 



Prepared chalk half an ounce. 



Powdered opium half a scruple. 



Powdered catechu a scruple. 



Ginger a scruple. 



Sheep are subject to scouring ; and lambs are also liable 

 to a similar looseness with calves. In either case, the rules 

 already laid down exactly apply, making one-sixth of the 

 quantities of the previous dose. 



CRIBBITING. 



This peculiar action is very generally, but is erroneously 

 supposed to arise from a small quantity of air drawn into 

 the stomach : and is hence called sucking the wind. On 

 the contrary, it consists in the simple eructation or forcing 

 out of a small quantity of gas, let loose from morbid 

 combinations within the stomach ; which gas, as it proves 

 a source of irritation, the horse, to aid its expulsion, applies 

 his teeth to a fixed point, whereby to help the effort he is 

 about to make. To prevent the action, it is common to 

 place a tight strap around the throat ; this, by compressing 

 the oesophagus, effectually hinders the animal from indulg- 

 ing the habit. 



It is considered a vice, an action acquired, &c. ; but we 

 believe it always commences in dyspepsia. We never 

 knew an instance of its being contracted at' grass ; but 

 turning out in a straw-yard is a very common cause. It 



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