DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 



41 



because of defective teeth ; obstruct ion of the intestine by worms. 

 The feeding of grain at a time when the animal is not in fit 

 condition to digest it results 

 in imperfect digestion in 

 both the stomach and intes- 

 tine. This leads to irritation 

 of the intestine and abnor- 

 mal fermentation of its con- 

 tents. The drinking of a 

 large quantity of water im- 

 mediately after feeding grain 

 flushes at least a part of the 

 undigested grain from the 

 stonuich through the small 

 intestine and into the cic- 

 cum. New grains, such as 

 new oats, are hurried along 

 the small intestine and reach 

 the large intestine practically 

 undigested. The two latter 

 conditions are common causes 

 of flatulent or wind colic. 

 Sudden change in the ration, 

 especially to a green feed, 

 may result in intestinal irri- 

 tation and flatulence. 



Horses that are greedy 



Fig. 15. — Photograph of model of diges- 

 tive tract of ruminant: (C) oesophagus; (A) 

 rumen; (V) reticulum; (B) omasum; (N) aboma- 

 sum; (D, R, I) small intestine; and (G, F, K,J) 

 large intestine. 



feeders and have sharp, un- 

 even, smooth or diseased teeth 

 are unable to masticate the 

 feed properly. This results in unthriftiness caused by imperfect 

 digestion and assimilation of the feed. Such animals usually 

 suffer from a catarrhal or chronic inflammation of the intestine, 

 and may have periodic attacks of acute indigestion or colic. 



