CHAPTER III. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS 

 AND LIVER. 



Genc7'al remarks on the Anatomy and Physiology of the digestive organs of the 

 horse. Acute and Chronic Indigestion., or Stomach-Staggers. Rupture 

 of the Stomach. Colic. Lampas. Inflammationof the Mouth or Stojuatitis, 

 contagious and non-contagious. Inflammation of the Tongue. Crib-biting 

 and Wind-Sucking. Inflammation of the Bowels. Constipation and 

 Obstruction of the Bowels. Diai-rhoia. Rupture of the Intestines. 

 Dysentery. Diseases of the Liver, Congestion and Inflammation of the 

 Liver. 



GENERAL REMARKS ON THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 



Although science has been revolutionised in our day, and the most 

 wonderful discoveries, before not even dreamt of, have been made in 

 physiology, chemistry, physics, agriculture, and medicine ; and although 

 veterinary science, no less than other branches of knowledge, has made very 

 rapid progress during the past twenty years ; yet, nevertheless, diseases 

 caused by the grossest errors in feeding are as common as ever. We 

 have already spoken of the diseases caused by the wilful mistakes which are 

 being constantly made in feeding man's most faithful servant, the noble 

 creature to which he owes a heavy debt of obligation. We have now to- 

 speak in particular of the diseases of the stomach, and these are almost 

 invariably due to avoidable sources of disorder. We hear a great deal now- 

 a-days regarding the ills man inflicts on himself by his neglect of the- 

 ordinary laws of physiology, dietetics, and hygiene. It is very essential also- 

 to attend to the laws of dieting of horses. They are not numerous, and are 

 soon learnt, being, as a rule, pretty well understood by grooms who have 

 learnt their business well. Our men should be up in the morning at 5-30 or 

 6 a.m., to feed the horses under their charge, and give them time to digest 

 their food. We scarcely need mention, seeing that nearly one half of all the 

 maladies of the horse are caused by dietetic errors, how necessary it is to. 

 bestow the greatest care and attention upon this most important subject. 



