DICTIONARY 



THE VETERINARY ART. 



Abdomen. That part of the animal usually denominated 

 the belly. This cavity contains the intestines, or bowels, 

 liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, &c, and is separated from the 

 thorax, or chest, by the diaphragm. 



Abortion. Miscarriage, slipping, or slinking foal or calf, 

 warping. In mares, miscarriage is very generally caused by 

 over exertion during the latter period of gestation. It is not 

 unfrequently brought about by accidents at grass, such as 

 falling in a ditch or hole, and struggling violently to extri- 

 cate themselves. Kicks on the belly are by no means an un- 

 common cause of miscarriage ; for which reason, a mare, when 

 near her time, should be kept by herself: after foaling she will 

 require a few weeks' rest, in order to recover from the effects 

 of parturition ; and when first brought into work again, the 

 services required of her should be very slight. Exposure to 

 wet and cold will occasion miscarriage ; also high feeding and 

 want of proper exercise. Abortion is of more frequent occur- 

 rence in sheep than in mares, and is caused by fright, over- 

 driving, and being worried by dogs, and by being kept in 

 cold, damp situations, and on improper food. 



Cows are particularly liable to the accident of warping, or 

 slinking the calf. The common cause of abortion is improper 

 feeding. The filthy, stagnant water they are often compelled 

 to drink is likewise a serious cause, not only of abortion, but 



