38 



be extracted; if indigestion is due to ravenous eating or bolting the 

 food, "Nve must tben feed from a large manager where the grain can 

 be si)read and the horse compelled to eat slowlj'. 



In the great majority- of cases I have found a cathartic, aloes 1 

 ounce, or linseed oil 1 pint, to be of much serAdce if given at the out- 

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

 operating as "causes," are thus remoA'ed, and in many instances no 

 further treatment is required. There is mostly a tendency to disten- 

 sion of the stomach and bowels with gas during indigestion, and I 

 have never found any treatment so effective as the following alkaline 

 tonic: Baking soda, powdered ginger, and powdered gentian, equal 

 parts. These are to be thoroughly mixed and given in heaping table- 

 spoonful doses, twice a day, Ijefore feeding. This powder is best 

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

 given as a drench. 



INTESTINAL WORMS. 



Although there are several species of worms found in the intestines 

 of horses, it will be sufficient, in an article like this, to refer only to 

 three or four of the most common ones. Worms are most frequently 

 seen in young horses, and in those that are weak and debilitated. 

 They commonly exist in horses that are on low, wet, or marshy pas- 

 tures and in those that drink stagnant water. 



The intestinal worm most commonly seen is known as the Lnin- 

 hrk-oid worm. In form it is much like the common earth-worm. It 

 is white or I'eddish in color, and measures from 4 to 12 inches in 

 length, thougli some have been seen that were nearly 30 inclies long. 

 In thickness they vary from the size of a rj-e straw to that of a lady's 

 little finger, being thickest at the middle, and tapering at both ends. 

 They are found singly or in groups or masses, and infest chiefly the 

 small intestines. 



Another common variety of intestinal worm is called i\\.Q pi}\-irorm, 

 and is found mosth* in the large intestines. These are semi-trans- 

 parent, thread-like worms, measuring in length from 1 to 2 inches. 



The tape-worm, once seen, is easily recognized. It is white, flat, 

 thin, broad, and jointed. The head is found at the smaller end of the 

 worm. Tape-worms of the horse sonjetimes jneasure from 20 to 30 

 feet in length. 



Symptoms of intestinal ivorms. — Slight colicky pains arc noticed at 

 times, or there may only be switching of the tail, frequent passages 

 of manure, and some slight straining, itching of the anus, and rub- 

 bing of the tail or rump against the stall or fences; the horse is in 

 poor condition; does not shed his coat; is hide-bound and pot-bellied; 

 the appetite is depraved, licdcing the walls, biting the wooden work of 

 the stalls, licking parts of his body, eating earth, and being particu- 

 larlv fond of salt; the bowels are irregular, constipation or diarrhea 



