STJB-ACUTE AND CHKONTC DIAEEH(EA. 351 



and its tendency, if neglected or improperly treated, is to 

 terminate in dysentery ; and sometimes (though rarely) in Parcy 

 or Glanders. 



Symptoms. — The most conspicuous symptom of the dis- 

 ease is that of the animal purging fsecal matters, which are 

 either of a dirty brown colour, semi-fluid, and generally without 

 effluvium of an offensive character ; or semi-fluid, clay-coloured, 

 and emitting an effluvium not unlike that proceeding from 

 rotten eggs. The appetite may be good, or it may not — usually 

 it is the former ; but however regular and large the consump- 

 tion of food, the animal is so weak as to be incapable of long 

 continued exertion, either for saddle, harness, or draught pur- 

 poses. 



As the malady continues, the patient becomes slowly 

 reduced in condition ; the appetite fails — the limbs swell — a 

 cough supervenes ; and in some cases Farcy and Glanders may 

 appear, and the animal becomes a loathsome object. 



Causes. — Horses of delicate constitutional vigour are prone 

 to the disease, which may be excited by causes of a trifling 

 nature. Improper food, or food not properly prepared, is one 

 cause. The long-continued application of cold and wet to the 

 skin. Allowing the animal to drink freely of water soon after 

 being fed, thereby washing the undigested food into the intes- 

 tines — which, irritating the mucous surfaces, gives rise to 

 Diarrhoea. The last named is a very common cause, and one 

 readily obviated. 



Teeatment. — The best remedies, in general are — Barbadoes 

 Aloes, Yeratrum 1, Camphor, Sesquichloride of Iron, and 

 China. 



