32 



the organ. These layers remain quite distinct during the greater 

 part of the time that active digestion is going on, complete mixicg 

 of the contents occurring only at the pylorus. 



By the ingestion of large quantities or water soon after eating 

 the distinct-layer arrangement of the food is broken up and much 

 undigested material washed into the intestines. As soon as mate- 

 rial passes from the stomach into the intestines it comes in contact 

 with the secretions from the liver, pancreas and intestinal glands. 

 These secretions have both a mechanical and chemical or digestive 

 action. The contents of the small intestines are distinctly fluid. 

 After passing from the small into the large intestines the material 

 is rendered more firm in consistence b}' absorption of fluid from 

 it. It is also probable that considerable cellulose is digested in 

 the larger bowels during the slow passage of the ingesta through 

 them. 



In order that we may so feed our horses as to prevent disease, 

 aside from the anatomical arrangement of the digestive organs, we 

 must take into account the nature of the work required, as well as 

 individual peculiarities of different animals. The feeding of a 

 horse for slow farm work must necessarily differ from that of the 

 one used wholly upon the road or track for fast work. In the 

 former a large, well-filled abdomen does not interfere with its per- 

 forming the work required of it, consequently there is little ob- 

 jection to giving a horse used for slow work liberal quantities of 

 bulky food. The same food given a race horse would produce 

 such a distension of the stomach and intestines that free and easy 

 action of the respiratory organs would be prevented, and in con- 

 sequence the horse rendered useless for fast work. Race horses 

 require a more concentrated and easily digested food than it is 

 necessary or economical to supply our slow-working animals. 



Individual animals possessing certain constitutional peculiarities 

 are frequently very susceptible in respect to the action of different 

 kinds of feeds or different methods of feeding and watering. 

 Such animals are usually nervous and excitable, are long-legged, 

 naiTow-chested, straight- ribbed and small-barrelled. They are 

 often-times designated " bad thrivers," on account of the difiiculty 

 in feeding them so as to keep them in good condition. Such 

 individuals are liable to attacks of indigestion, diarrhaa, colic, 

 etc., upon the slightest change of feed, or irregularity in feeding 

 or watering. 



Bearing in mind some of the general principles which have been 

 briefly referred to, we may consider in detail some of the methods 

 of feeding and watering, commonly practised, which are most 

 productive of disease. 



