182 DADD'S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



not adapted to the emergency. Even the simple artHe moiassca> 

 was objectionable, because it is an acid. The case required alka- 

 lies, in the form of ammonia or chloride of lime. Gin was ob- 

 jectionable, because it is an excitant of the brain and nervous 

 system, when, instead of the brain, the stomach ought to have 

 been stimulated. Niter, which was given, is an agent that in- 

 creases urinary discharges only, and, therefore, was not needed. 

 The trouble was in the stomach — to arouse its function and con- 

 dense the gas which distended the same. Alkalies and tonica 

 should have been administered, followed by such other treatment 

 as the nature of the case demanded. We look upon this gin and 

 molasses treatment as decidedly unprofitable to owners of live 

 stock. It savors too much of our grandmothers' castor-oil prac- 

 tice, which often proves more heroic than salutary, does more 

 harm than good, and, at the present day, is decidedly unpopular. 

 Our advice to horse-owners, therefore, is, if you have a sick 

 animal, and can not comprehend the nature of the disease, never 

 attempt .to prescribe for him, but call in the aid of a professional 

 man. We give this advice under the conviction that domestic 

 animals are subject to many of the diseases that afflict our race \, 

 that the treatment should be somewhat analagous, and the tact 

 and skill not inferior, but superior, to that of the human practi- 

 tioner. 



Gorged, or Over-distended Stomach, 



(Commonly called "Grain Founder.") 



Goiged stomach is usually the result of overfeeding, by which 

 means the stomach becomes overtaxed in its function, or over- 

 burdened in its capacity; so that, in the first place, digestion is 

 partially or totally suspended ; and, secondly, the stomach, being 

 distended beyond its physiological capacity, can not perform the 

 mechanical action, viz. : contraction and expansion, so necessary 

 for the physiological process of digestion. The act of digestion is 

 consummated through the aid of Nature's chemistry, by means of 

 the salivial fluids, bile and pancreatic juice. These are the solvents 

 of all the digestible food. This chemical action receives much aid 

 in the mechanical action of the muscular fibers of the stomach, 

 which, by alternate contractions and expansions, keep not only the 

 stomach in motion, but also its contents, and thus the food is di- 

 gested. As regards overfeeding, however, it may be proper to 

 remark, lest the groom or feedei take offense, that an animal may 



