STALLIONS, BROOD MARES AND FOALS. 181 



tively indicated, and, in addition, frequent enemata of warm 

 soap and water are recommended. 



It can not be expected, nor is it desirable, that the nu- 

 merous diseases incident to breeding animals of the equine 

 species and their progeny can be even very briefly reviewed 

 in an essay of this kind; the consideration of such a subject 

 properly appertains to veterinary science. There is, how- 

 ever, one malady affecting young foals which, on account of 

 its frequency and fatality, may be glanced at. 



No disease is more prevalent among sucking animals, and 

 few so fatal, as diarrhoea. Although less subject than calves, 

 foals are often carried off by it within a short space of time. 

 The causes have not been accurately determined, but the 

 most eminent veterinarians attribute it to changes of un- 

 known character, and brought about by unascertained causes 

 in the composition of the milk. 



Two facts relating thereto have, however, been proved, 

 viz. : that the causes are often widely diffused; and, secondly, 

 that their potency is increased by defective hygienic sur- 

 roundings, especially unwholesome stable accommodations 

 and overcrowding of animals. Unless curative treatment is 

 very early adopted an unfavorable issue is almost certain, 

 and the generally fatal nature of the disease gives little hope 

 of cure when the symptoms have become fully developed. 

 At the outset a full dose of castor oil ought to be given, the 

 action of which is to be followed by repeated small doses of 

 carbonate of iron and carbonate of soda, with laudanum and 

 brandy, given in cold rice-meal gruel. As food bean-meal, 

 made into the consistency of milk and given at short inter- 

 vals, is extremely beneficial, and should take the place of a 

 large proportion of the mare's milk. The diet of the mare 

 is to be completely changed, and the foal and dam promptly 

 removed to other quarters As curative treatment is so 

 rarely successful, efforts must be made for preventing the 

 disease. The provision of good, dry, clean lodgings, pure 

 water, and the occasional administration of alkaline carbon- 

 ates to the mare, the diet of which should be wholesome, and 

 be partly composed of leguminous seeds, are the means most 

 likely to be attended with beneficial results. 



