24 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



tioii also occurs in tetanus from the contraction of the abdominal 

 walls and in diarrhea from emptiness. 



In applying the ear to the flank, on either the right or left side, 

 certain bubbling sounds may be heard that are known as peristaltic 

 sounds, because they are produced by peristalsis, or wormlike con- 

 traction of the intestines. These sounds are a little louder on the 

 right side than on the left on account of the fact that the large intes- 

 tines lie in the right flank. Absence of peristaltic sounds is always an 

 indication of disease, and suggests exhaustion or paralysis of the 

 intestines. This may occur in certain kinds of colic and is an un- 

 favorable symptom. Increased sounds are heard where the intes- 

 tines are contracted more violently than in health, as in spasmodic 

 colic, and also where there is an excess of fluid or gas in the intestinal 

 canal. 



The feces show, to a certain extent, the thoroughness of digestion. 

 They should show that the food has been well ground, and should, in 

 the horse, be free from offensive odor or coatings of mucus. A coat- 

 insf of mucus shows intestinal catarrh. Blood on the feces indicates 

 severe inflammation. Very light color and bad odor may come from 

 inactive liver. Parasites are sometimes in the dung. 



Rectal examination consists in examination of the organs of the 

 pelvic cavity and posterior portion of the abdominal cavity by the 

 hand inserted into the rectum. This examination should be attempted 

 by a veterinarian only, and is useless except to one who has a good 

 knowledge of the anatomj^ of the parts concerned. 



THE EXAMINATION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



The great brain, or cerebrum, is the seat of intelligence, and it con- 

 tains the centers that control motion in many parts of the body. 

 The front portion of the brain is believed to be the region that is most 

 important in governing the intelligence. The central and posterior 

 portions of the cerebrum contain the centers for the voluntary motions 

 of the face and of the front and hind legs. The growth of a tumor or 

 an inflammatory change in the region of a center governing tlie 

 motion of a certain part of the body has the effect of disturbing 

 motion in that part by causing excessive contraction known as cramps, 

 or inability of the muscles to contract, constituting the condition 

 known as paralysis. The nerve paths from the cerebrum, and hence 

 from these centers to the spinal cord and thence to the muscles, pass 

 beneath the small brain, or the cerebellum, and through the medulla 

 oblongata to the spinal cord. Interference with these paths has the 

 effect of disturbing motion of the parts reached by them. If all of 

 the paths on one side are interfered with, the result is paralysis of one 

 side of the body. 



The small brain, or cerebellum, governs the regularity, or coordi- 



