264 The Care of Animals 



of oil or three -fourths to a pouud of Epsom salts. 

 These should be g:iven as drenches. Enemas of warm 

 soapy water, or warm water and glycerine, should be 

 given, to empty the bowels. Other food should be 

 withheld, unless hay or other rough material seems to be 

 craved, when a little may be supplied. If the animal 

 is thirsty, a small quantity of water can be given from 

 time to time until the thirst is quenched. It is best 

 not to give too large doses of purgatives, as severe 

 purging often follows gorging; the animal being unable 

 to digest it, the grain acts as an irritant to the bowels. 

 After the acute symptoms have subsided and the diges- 

 tive system is free from the excess of grain, the animal 

 should be fed sparingly for several days, until the 

 alimentary canal has recovered from the severe strain 

 to which it has been subjected. 



INDIGESTION IN HORSES 



Indigestion is one of the most common diseases of 

 the digestive system of the horse. It may be caused by 

 the failure of both the stomach and the small intestine 

 to properly digest the food. This brings on abdominal 

 pain and general illness that may last for some days. 



Indigestion may be induced by indigestible or bad 

 food, by improper feeding, by diseases or injuries to the 

 mouth or teeth which prevent the proper mastication 

 of the food, by hard work or active exercise soon after 

 feeding, or by insufficient exercise. It may also result 

 from disease of any organs upon which the process of 

 digestion depends. 



