348 ACUTE DIAREHCEA. 



Wlien the disease reaches this latter stage the case may be 

 regarded as hopeless. The immense quantity of semi-fluid mat- 

 ter which comes from the intestines is for the most part a 

 secretion from the mucous membrane of those organs, and this 

 secretion, be it remembered, is principally supplied from the 

 blood ; the body, therefore, (unless the morbid action be checked) 

 speedily becomes drained of its serum, and in consequence of 

 the blood not being able to flow through its proper channels, 

 for want of its serum, its more solid constituents accumulate 

 within the lungs, and these organs rapidly become congested, 

 and thus are unable to purify the sanguineous fluid necessary 

 to meet the requirements of the organism. Hence the brain, and 

 every other part, loses its natural stimulus, and the unconscious 

 wildness which supervenes becomes in a great measure accounted 

 for ; hence, also, the utter hopelessness of the case, and the 

 speedy death of the patient. 



Pathognomonic Symptoms. — "Purging, which generally 

 commences suddenly, is attended with pain, and which is aggra- 

 vated hy labour. 



Causes, — The causes are numerous, but the most common 

 are giving the horse green food in large quantities, and after- 

 wards driving or riding him a long distance, either during the 

 prevalence of hot or very wet and cold weather ; allowing the 

 animal to drink freely of cold water whilst freely perspiring ; 

 allowing the animal to drink immediately after having eat corn, 

 such as oats or split beans. By drinking water immediately 

 after eating corn a quantity of rough undigested food is washed 

 into the intestines, where, by its mere mechanical irritation 

 upon the mucous surface, purging is easily produced. I have 

 known it thus caused in many instances. The proper mode in 

 feeding, is always to give the water before the corn. Biding or 



