386 THE STOCK OWNER S ADVISER. 



sweats bedew the body, the belly becomes tympanitic and 

 trembles incessantly; the legs, mouth, and ears are cold and 

 the breath fetid, the lips pendulous, and the eye becomes more 

 glassy. Gangrene sets in, the animal becomes quieter, wanders 

 about in an unconscious condition, until, after a short interval, 

 death closes the scene. If the symptoms abate in three or four 

 hours after the attack, a favorable termination may be looked for. 

 This, however, can scarcely be expected. 



Treatment. — The first and most important step in the treat- 

 ment is the administration of pow^dered opium; one, two, and 

 even three drachms may be given in this case, succeeded by 

 smaller doses. Subcutaneous injections of morphine, in five- 

 grain doses, may be used. The tincture of belladonna in drachm 

 doses may be administered every four hours. Hot fomentations 

 should be applied to the abdomen, as flannels dipped into boiling- 

 water and rinsed out. Place dry cloths over this. Mustard 

 applications are beneficial. Tincture of aconite, in twenty-drop 

 doses, should be given. Stimulants may be tried and their effects 

 watched. In some cases they do harm, and in other cases they 

 are of benefit. If the appetite returns the liquid should be used 

 for some time. 



DIARRHOEA. 



Diarrhoea is the term applied to all cases of simple purging in 

 which the faeces are loose, liquid, and frequently discharged 

 without any coexisting inflammation. 



Causes. — A variety of causes produce diarrhoea, as rich food 

 or sudden changes of diet; medicinal substances, derangement of 

 the liver or digestive organs, grazing on poor, sandy pastures; 

 violent exercise, and such foods as raw potatoes or frozen roots, 

 as carrots and turnips. It may be induced by an effort of nature 

 to discharge from the intestines something which is obnoxious. 

 Or it may occur as the breaking up of diseases. In such cases it 

 should not be checked. Some horses are particularly prone to 

 diarrhoea, such as highly nervous and long coupled horses. Such 



