i 4 8 VETERINARY LECTURES 



volumes of gas are to be seen regurgitating up the gullet towards the 

 mouth, and in some cases there is an attempt to vomit ; but I have 

 met with cases where both regurgitation of gas and vomiting have 

 been seen without any rupture, and the cases have recovered. 

 When rupture takes place nothing can be done ; the great point is to 

 try to prevent it. First and foremost try judicious feeding, then, 

 when cases of intestinal disturbance, with colicky pains and gas 

 distension of the belly, are observed, lose no time in getting the 

 patient relieved by administering the medicinal agents named in 

 pars. 242 and 249 (also par. 1062, No. II.). 



244. Stomach Staggers in the Horse —A disorder of the 

 stomach accompanied by nervous derangement. In hot, dry weather, 

 more particularly on hilly ground, where there is a second year's 

 growth of rye grass, the horse is sometimes attacked with this 

 malady. As in cattle suffering from the same complaint, too early 

 ripening or aborting of rye grass is supposed to be the cause. The 

 horse has an unsteady gait as if about to fall, first on one side and 

 then on the other, swinging its head backwards and forwards. If in 

 the stable, it may be found with its nose pressed on the bottom of 

 the manger and forehead against the wall, or steadying itself with 

 the nose fixed between the bars of the hay-rack. The breathing is 

 slow and laboured, and the pulse full and slow. With its simple, 

 single stomach, the horse is much better to treat than the cow. 

 Treatment.— From 4 to 6 quarts of blood may be taken to relieve 

 the acute symptoms, which, with a 4 to 6 drachm dose of aloes 

 (par. 1070, No. I.), usually sets matters right. (For treatment of 

 cow, see Part II., par. 304.) 



245. Indigestion— imperfect digestion of the food, generally 

 due to injudicious or over feeding, and common both in horses and 

 cattle, particularly in the former, when being fed up for shows or 

 for the market. The horse shows no pain, but simply loses its 

 appetite. Treatment.— Give 3 drachms of aloes, with 3 drachms of 

 bicarbonate of soda, in the form of a ball, when, if the animal does 

 not pick up, mineral and vegetable tonics may be resorted to 

 (par. 1073, No. IV.). In one case which came under my care the 



