164 DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 



])lenty of clotlilng, and the legs encased in flannel bandages. 

 The abdomen should be fomented with warm water, or shee})- 

 skins applied, as in enteritis. Gruel, starch, or arrow-root 

 should be administeied frequently ; and if there is any appetite, 

 a little sweet hay should be given, but bran avoided. Bleeding 

 in this disease is rarely prudent. — Ed.] 



Dysentery, Molten Grease. 



[The mucous coat of the bowels is liable to another disease, 

 which, though more frequently existing as a symptom of other 

 inflammations, such as that of the lungs and the liver, or of in- 

 fluenza, yet sometimes appears as an independent disease. 



The symptoms are, — costiveness, the fasces being small and 

 buttony, and encased in mucus, with large flakes and lumps of 

 this diseased secretion amongst the dunsr. There is no active 

 pain present, but a dull heavy appearance, quick pulse, very hot 

 mouth, and other febrile symptoms ; and when the hand is 

 passed up the rectum, it is found much hotter than common. 



The mucous membrane of the alimentary canal is evidently 

 aflfected. In diarrhoea the muscular coat of the intestines is af- 

 fected, as well as the mucous, and there is consequently increased 

 l)erlstaltlc action. In dysentery, the mucous coat only is af- 

 fected, though not in the same manner as in diarrhoea. It is in 

 a highly febrile, rather than in an inflammatory stage ; but its 

 action is not increased, although greatly deranged. The appe- 

 tite is greatly diminished. If not totally gone, and the disease is 

 attended with much dano;er. 



The treatment must consist in bleeding largely, if the pulse 

 be strong and full, and moderately if weak ; back-rakIng and 

 the frequent administration of copious injections ; oily purgatives 

 moderately repeated, till attended with a proper effect, taking 

 care that the linseed oil does not altoccether exceed three or four 

 pints: two or three drachms of nitre may be given with the oil, 

 taking care not to exceed two ounces altogether ; and four 

 drachms of cream of tartar may also be added. Plenty of 

 linseed tea, or thin gruel, should be given, and bran mashes and 

 carrots in the winter, or tares and clover in the summer, should 

 be allowed ; but when the horse eats pretty freely of green food, 

 considerably less oil will be required. — Ed.] 



