DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 55 



danger in this operation, only it should be done be- 

 fore the animal is too far gone. The right side is 

 preferred to the left, as we reach the colon easier 

 on the right side. 



IMPACTION OF THE LARGE INTESTINES. 



This derangement is most common in the fall 

 and spring, but is frequently seen at other times. 

 It is usually caused by horses and colts eating dry, 

 indigestible grasses in the autumn and spring 

 months, and from eating old, dry, hard hay, when 

 largely fed on it; deficient secretions in the large 

 intestines, and not sufficient water. The indigesti- 

 ble mass may not dry, still from being packed to- 

 gether it cannot pass on through the contracted 

 portion, and as a result, it sets up irritation and 

 inflammation, and if not relieved the animal dies. 

 Symptoms of Impaction : The pain is slight at first, 

 the horse shows signs of belly-ache, but it may soon 

 pass off, to return in a few hours; the feces are 

 passed frequently at first, but soon none is passed. 

 The abdomen is full, but not with* gas. After a 

 time the pain becomes more severe, the horse paws, 

 looks around at its flank, lies down on its side with 

 its legs outstretched, and may lie in this position 

 quietly for ten or fifteen minutes, get up and lie 

 down in the same way. It seems to be fairly easy 

 in this position. This may continue for a day or 

 two, but inflammation soon sets in; then the pain 

 becomes continuous, the animal breathes fast, and 

 the pulse, which was not much affected in the early 

 stage, now becomes fast and it may be weak, and 



