380 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



strong affinity for chlorine. Then if some compound of 

 chlorine the chloride of lime dissolved in water, is admin- 

 istered in the form of a drink, the chlorine separates from the 

 lime as soon as it comes in contact with the hydrogen, and 

 muriatic gas is formed. This gas having a strong affinity 

 for water, is absorbed by any fluid that may be present, and, 

 quitting its gaseous form, either disappears, or does not retain 

 a thousandth part of its former bulk. All this may be very 

 rapidly accomplished, for*the fluid is quickly conveyed from 

 the mouth to every part of the intestinal canal. Where these 

 two medicines are not at hand, and the danger is imminent, 

 the trochar may be used, in order to open a way for the 

 escape of the gas. The trochar should be small but longer 

 than that which is used for the cow, and the puncture should 

 be made in the middle of the right flank, for there the large 

 intestines are most easily reached. It is only when the prac- 

 titioner despairs of otherwise saving the life of the animal 

 that this operation should be attempted. Much of the danger 

 would be avoided by using a very small trochar, and by with- 

 drawing it as soon as the gas has escaped. The wonnd in 

 the intestines will then probably close, from the innate elasti- 

 city of the parts. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. There are two varieties of 

 this malady. The first is inflammation of the external coats 

 of the intestines, accompanied by considerable fever, and 

 usually costiveness. The second is that of the internal or 

 mucous coat, and almost invariably connected with purging. 

 The muscular coat is that which is oftenest affected. Inflam- 

 mation of the external coats of the stomach, whether the 

 peritoneal or muscular, or both, is a very frequent and fatal 

 disease. It speedily runs its course, and it is of great conse- 

 quence that its early symptoms should be known. If the 

 horse has been carefully observed, restlessness and fever will 

 have been seen to precede the attack. In many cases a 

 direct shivering fit will occur : the mouth will be hot, and the 

 nose red. The animal will soon express the most dreadful 

 pain by pawing, striking at his belly, looking wildly at his 

 flanks, groaning, and rolling. The pulse will be quickened 

 and small ; the ears and legs cold ; the belly tender, and 

 sometimes hot; the breathing quickened ; the bowels costive; 

 and the animal becoming rapidly and fearfully weak. 



The causes of this disease are, first of all and most fre- 

 quently, sudden exposure to cold. If a horse that has been 

 highly fed, carefully groomed, and kept in a warm stable, is 



