164 The Horse Farmer. 



DIARRHCEA. 



This is quite a common disease among horses. There 

 is a kind, however, among grass eaters, that is beneficial 

 rather than otherwise, if it does not continue for any 

 length of time. Diarrhoea is the effect of an irritable or 

 congested state of the mucous membrane of the intes- 

 tines, often produced by improper articles, or over doses 

 of physic, by over exertion and perspiration, suddenly 

 checked by exposure to cold winds, &c. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms are, he frequently looks 

 round at his flanks; his breathing is laborious, and the 

 pulse is quick and small — the mouth is hot and the legs 

 and ears are warm. 



Treatment. — If it proceeds from the feed, change of 

 diet will generally be sufficient. Unless the purging is 

 excessive, and the pain and distress great, the surgeon 

 should hesitate at giving any astringent medicine at first ; 

 but administer gruel or thin starch, or arrow-root, by the 

 mouth and by clyster, removing all hay and corn, and par- 

 ticularly green feed. If, however, twelve hours have 

 passed, and the purging and the pain are undiminished, 

 continue the gruel, adding to it chalk, catechu, and opium, 

 repeated every six hours. As soon as the purging begins 

 to subside, the stringent medicine should be lessened in 

 quantity, and gradually discontinued. The horse should 

 be warmly clothed, and placed in a comfortable stable, 

 and his legs should be hand-rubbed and bandaged. Bay- 

 berry bark and charcoal are powerful astringents. 



If the disease depends on deranged digestive function, 

 the liver included, give a few doses of the following : 

 Powdered goldenseal, 2 ounces; powdered ginger, 1 

 ounce ; salt, 1 ounce. Dose, half an ounce twice a day. 



INDIGESTION. 



The causes of indigestion are numerous : too little or 

 too much of food, water, or work ; bad ventilation ; ex- 

 posure ; poisons ; damaged or highly nutritious food ; 

 working the animal on a full stomach — are all operative 

 , in producing indigestion in acute or chronic forms. 



