DISEASES OF THE. I)I(;ESTIVE ORGANS. 



By CH. B. MICHENER, V. S., 



Professor of Cattle Pathology and Obstetrics at the Neir York College of Veferinarjj 

 Suyyeons, Inspector Bureau of Animal Industry, etc. 



It will not. prove an easy task to write "a jjlaiu account of tlie com- 

 mon diseases, with directions for preventive measures, hygienic care, 

 and the simpler forms of medical treatment" of the digestive organs 

 of the liorse. This study includes a careful consideration of the food 

 and drink of our animals, their quality, quantity, analyses, etc. 

 This, of itself, is material for a book. Being limited as to simce, one 

 must endeavor to give simply an outline; to state the mostimijortant 

 facts, leaving many gaps, and continually checking the disposition to 

 write anything like a full description as to cause, prevention, and 

 modes of treatment of disease. 



These article are addressed entirely' to farmers and stock-owners, 

 and I must ask my professional brethren to bear this in mind, when 

 disposed to complain of a want of scientific treatment of the subjects. 



Water. — It is generally held, at least in practice, that any water that 

 stock can be induced to drink is sufficiently pure for their use. This 

 practice occasions losses that would startle us if statistics were at 

 hand. Water that is impure from the presence of decomposing organic 

 matter, such as is found in wells and ponds in close proximity to 

 manure heaps and cess-j)ools, is frequently the cause of diarrhea, dys- 

 enter}-, and many other diseases of stock, while water that is impreg- 

 nated with different poisons, and contaminated with specific media of 

 contagion, j^roduces death in very many instances. 



Considering first the quant it}' of water required by the horse, it may 

 be stated that when our animals have access to water continually they 

 never drink to excess. Were the horse subjected to ship-voyages, or 

 ain^ other circumstances where he must depend upon his attendant for 

 the supply of water, it maybe roughly stated that each horse requires 

 a daily average of about 8 gallons of water. This will vary soraeAvhat 

 upon the character of his food; if upon green food, less water will be 

 needed than when fed upon dry hay and grain. 



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