40 NON-SPECIFIC OR GENERAL DISEASES 



caecum, double colon, floating colon and rectum. The caecum 

 is a large blind pouch that has a capacity of about seven gallons. 

 The double colon is the largest division of the intestines. It is 

 about twelve feet in length and has a capacity of about eighteen 

 gallons. This portion of the intestine terminates in the region 

 of the left flank in the floating colon. The latter is about ten 

 feet in length and about twice the diameter of the small intestine, 

 from which it can readily be distinguished by its sacculated walls. 

 The rectum is the terminal portion of the intestinal tract. It 

 is about one and one-half feet in length and possesses heavy, 

 elastic walls. 



Fermentation and cellulose digestion occur in the cnecum 

 and double colon. It is in the floating colon that the faeces are 

 moulded into balls. The ficces are retained in the rectum until 

 defecation takes place. 



The intestinal trad of cattle is longer than that of soli- 

 peds and the diflerent divisions are not as well defined as in the 

 horse's intestine and about one-half its diameter. The large 

 intestine is about thirty-five feet in length and its capacity six 

 or seven gallons (Fig. 15). 



Acute Intestinal Indigestion of Solipeds. — Acute indiges- 

 tion is more common in horses and mules than it is in any of the 

 other domestic animals. Because of the difference in the causes 

 and symptoms manifested, we may divide it into the following 

 forms : spasmodic, flatulent and obstruction colic. 



The predisposing causes are general and digestive debility 

 resulting from the feeding of an insufllcient or unsuitable ration, 

 and general and parasitic diseases of the intestine. Nervous, 

 well-bred horses are most susceptible to nervous or spasmodic 

 colic. 



The direct causes are improper methods of feeding and water- 

 ing; giving the animal severe or unusual exercise immediately 

 before or after feeding; the feeding of spoiled or green feeds and 

 new grains ; chilling of the body ; imperfect mastication of feed 



