250 The IIokse JxDrsTKv i\ New Yoi;k State 



diarrhea often precedes the attack. This condition frequently 

 causes a mistaken dia,2,"nosis. As conditions ^c;row worse the pain 

 continues, though decidedly worse at certain times. He may sit 

 on his haunches like a doi>- to relieve the pressure on the heart and 

 lunijs. The runihle (peristalsis) in the bowels practically ceases, 

 pulse beco.mes rapid aud weak. Stretching' out on all four limbs 

 and making small amounts of urine is a very characteristic 

 symptom. This condition is caused by the over-distended bowel 

 pressing directly on the bladder, causing an irritation and often- 

 times a slight inflammation of the bladder. Farmers are very apt 

 to call this condition kidney or bladder troiible. Kidney and 

 bladder trouble is very rare in horses. 



Treatment. In mild cases, a change to a laxative diet such 

 as bran mashes, roots, one pound of linseed meal per day or one 

 pint per day of stock molasses, will often prevent or overcome 

 the less severe attacks. In the more severe cases our line of treat- 

 ment must aim to overcome the following conditions : ( a ) Soften- 

 ing of the dry, hard contents of the digestive tract; (b) overcom- 

 ing the paralysis that has been produced by the prolonged over- 

 distension ; (c) expulsion of the contents. 



The softening of the contents is the first and most important 

 consideration. Induce the horse to drink large amounts of 

 water. This will macerate and soften the contents in the 

 anterior portion of the digestive tract. The only way to make 

 the horse drink is to give him plenty of salt. Give a small pinch 

 on the tongue every little wdiile until he has had a half-pound, or 

 dissolve one-fourth of a pound in a quart of water, and give two 

 or three doses a few hours apart. Rectal injections of warm 

 water are very important as the impaction is very often near that 

 portion of the bowel. When the hand is introduced with the 

 hose or syringe, the over-distended bowel can often be felt, thus 

 confirming our diagnosis. 



Various drugs are used to overcome the paralyzed condition 

 of the bowels. Fluid extract of nux vomica given three or four 

 times a day in doses ranging from one-half a teaspoonful to one 

 teaspoonful is the safest thing a farmer can give. When very 

 large doses of this drug are given, twitching or jerking of the 

 muscles is sometimes seen. That means that the dose should bo 

 reduced. It should also l)e borne in mind that large doses of iiux 

 vomica often cause abortion in pregnant animals. 



