Diseases of the Organs of Digestion. 2 1 1 



grunts ; relief is apparently gained by effusion (see " Dropsy 

 of the Abdomen"), the abdomen swells, wasting of the 

 body proceeds rapidly, and the animal dies in six or eight 

 days. 



Treatment. — Aperient No. 3, with aconite ; followed by 

 the neutral salts and aconite. Diuretics. Febrifuges. 



Diseases of the liver, by frequent occurrence or long 

 continuance, are apt to induce changes in the constitu- 

 tion of the organ, and death may arise from softening, 

 rupture, or abscess, the principal signs of which are as 

 follows : heavy and laboured breathing, abdominal pains, 

 pale membranes, running down pulse, dilated pupils, un- 

 equal surface heat, fainting, insensibility, and death. 



Jaundice, or The Yellows, is due to the presence of 

 biliary matter in the blood, which has the effect of stain- 

 ing the mucous membranes and the scurf which is thrown 

 off from the skin, as well as the skin itself, all the tissues 

 of the body, the secretions, and also excretions. Unre- 

 lieved or constantly recurring states ultimately degenerate 

 into anaemia and a lingering death. A proper examina- 

 tion should be made with the view of determining the true 

 cause, which may be congestion, want of nerve power, 

 scirrhus, &c, when treatment is to be pursued accord- 

 ingly. 



Wind- sucking, or Crib-biting, is the act of the animal 

 which is designed to favour the expulsion of air, the result 

 of fermentation, from the stomach. The method of cure 

 is based upon measures calculated to remove dyspepsia, to 

 which the animal is subject. It is mostly confined to idle 

 and pampered horses of the higher breeds. 



