62 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



indigestion. Any condition that reduces the vitality of the horse, 

 such as disease, overwork, poor food, or L^ck of care, may indirectly 

 bring on indigestion by weakening the digestive organs. 



Symptoins. — Indigestion is characterized by irregular appetite; 

 refusing all food at times, and at others eating ravenously ; the appe- 

 tite is not only irregular, but is often depraved; there is a disposition 

 on the part of the horse to eat unusual substances, such as wood, 

 soiled bedding, or even his own feces ; the bowels are irregular to-day, 

 loose and bad smelling, to-morrow bound ; grain is often passed whole 

 in the feces, and the hay passed in balls or impacted masses, under- 

 going but little change; the horse frequently passes considerable 

 quantities of wind that has a sour odor. The animal loses flesh, the 

 skin presents a hard, dry appearance and seems very tight (hide- 

 bound). If the stomach is very seriously involved, the horse may 

 yawn by stretching the head forward and upward and by turning 

 outward the upper lip. There may be more or less colicky pain. In 

 the chronic cases there is mental depression ; the horse is sluggish and 

 dull. The abdomen gradually becomes small, giving a " tucked up " 

 appearance, or, on the other hand, it becomes flaccid and pendulous. 



Treatment. — One should commence Avith the food — its quality, 

 quantity, and time of feeding; examine the water supply, and see, 

 besides, that it is given before feeding; then carefully observe the 

 condition of the mouth and teeth ; and, continuing the observations as 

 best we may, endeavor to locate the seat of the trouble. If the teeth 

 are sharp or irregular they must be rasped down ; if any are decayed 

 they must be extracted; if indigestion is due to ravenous eating or 

 bolting, the feed must then be given from a large manger where the 

 grain can be spread and the horse thus compelled to eat slowly. 



Any irritation, such as worms, undigested food, etc., that are 

 operating as causes are to be removed by appropriate treatment, as 

 advised elsewhere. If there is a tendency to distention of the stomach 

 and bowels, with gas, during indigestion, the following may be used : 

 Baking soda, powdered ginger, and powdered gentian, equal parts. 

 These are to be thoroughly mixed and given in heaping tablespoonful 

 doses, twice a day, before feeding. This powder is best given by 

 dissolving the above quantity in a half pint of water and given as a 

 drench. 



As a digestive tonic the following is good: Glauber's salts, 2 

 pounds; common salt, 1 pound; baking soda, one-half pound. Of 

 this a heaping tablespoonful may be given in each feed. If diarrhea 

 exists, the treatment advised below may be used. 



Diarrhea. — Diarrhea is due to indigestion or intestinal catarrh or 

 to irritation of the bowels from eating moldy or musty food, drinking 

 stagnant water, diseased condition of the teeth, eating irritating sub- 

 stances, to being kept on low, marshy pastures, and exposure during 



