DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 151 



a fatal result, whereas too much medicine will often cause 

 rupture of the gut in front of the impaction. 



Prevention should be sought by a more laxative diet, by 

 a Uberal supply of water, by exercise, or even by daily doses of 

 I or 2 oz. of sulphate of soda in the food. The addition of 2 

 drachms of powdered gentian, and 10 grs. of nux vomica will 

 often restore lost tone to the bowels. 



CATARRH OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS IN HORSES, 



This is a form of chronic indigestion resulting from faults in 

 diet, as regards quality, quantity, and regularity ; from a habit 

 of bolting food ; from starvation and hard work ; from a sudden 

 access of rich food ; from the irritation of worms ; from con- 

 gested or torpid liver ; from impaction of the bowels, or from 

 any irritant in the food. 



Symptoms. — Unthrifty appearance, rough coat, hide-bound, 

 irregular or capricious appetite, dulness at work, emaciation, 

 tucked up belly, clammy, furred tongue, irregularity of the 

 bowels, diarrhoea alternating with constipation, hard balls of 

 imperfectly digested dung covered with a film of mucus, foetid 

 sour odour of stools, and an inclination to lick the white walls 

 or fresh earth. 



Treatment. — A carefully regulated and easily digested diet 

 (green food, sound hay, ground oats, roots), moderate regular 

 exercise, a clean, warm, comfortable stable, rock salt to lick at 

 will, and a course of tonics (gentian with nux vomica, white 

 bismuth, and sulphate of soda) morning and evening. Change 

 from one tonic to another as they seem to lose their effect. 

 Slippery elm, boiled linseed, mallow, etc., are often useful in 

 checking irritation. 



VOMITING. 



This is common in carnivora and pigs, but exceedingly rare 

 in cattle, and still more so in horses, asses and mules. It may 

 be due to a great variety of causes, as direct irritation of the 



