39 



being noticed. Some place much dependence upon llic symptom of 

 itching of the upper lip, as sho^vn by the horse frequently turning it 

 up and rubbing it upon the wall or stalls. Others again declare that 

 whenever Ave see the adherence of a dried whitish .substance about 

 the anus worms are i)resent. The one sympton, however, that we 

 should always look for, and certainty the only one that may not 

 deceive us, is seeing the horse pass the worms in his dung. 



Treatment. — Remedies to destroy intestinal worms are much more 

 efficient if given after a long fast, and then the worm medicine must 

 be supplemented hy a physic to carry out the Avorms. Among the 

 best worm medicines may be mentioned santonine, turpentine, tartar 

 emetic, infusion of tobacco, and bitter tonics. To destroy tape-Avorms, 

 areca nut, male-fern, and i)umpkin seeds are the best. If a horse is 

 passing the long round worms, for instance, the plan of treatment is 

 to give tAvice daily for three or four days a drench composed of tur- 

 pentine, 1 ounce, and linseed oil 2 or 3 ounces, to be foUoAAed on 

 the fourth day by a physic of Barbadoes aloes, 1 ounce. If the pin- 

 worms are present (the ones that infest the large boAvels), injections 

 into the rectum of infusions of tobacco, infusions of quassia chips, 

 one-half pound to a gallon of Avater, once or twice daily for a few 

 days, and followed by a physic, are most beneficial. It should be 

 borne in mind that intestinal Avorms are mostly seen in horses that 

 are in poor condition; and an essential part of our treatment then is 

 to improA^e the appetite and j^oAvers of digestion. This is best done 

 by giA^ing the A'cgetable tonics. One-half ounce of PeruA'ian bark, 

 gentian, ginger, quassia, etc., is to be giA'en twice a day in the feed 

 or as a drench. Unless some such medicine.s and good food and pure 

 water are given to tone up the digestiA'^e organs the worms will rapidly 

 acciTmulato again, even though they may haAc all been expelled by the 

 worm medicines proper. 



DISEASES OF THE IXTESTINES. 



Spasmodic or cramp colic. — This is the name giA'en to that form of 

 colic produced by contraction, or spasm, of a jjortion of the small 

 intestines. It is i:>roduced by indigestible food; foreign bodies, as 

 nails and stones in the boAvels; large drinks of cold Avater Avhen the 

 animal isAvarm; diiA'iug a heapted horse through deep streams, cold 

 rains, draughts of cold air, etc. Unequal distribution of or interfer- 

 ence Avith the nerA'ous supply here i)roduces cramj) of the boAvels, the 

 same as external cramps are produced. Spasmodic colic is much more 

 frequently met Avith in high-l)red, round-l)arreled, nervous horses than 

 in coarse, lymphatic ones. 



Symj^ton}.^. — These should be carefully studied in order to diagnose 

 this from other forms of colic requiring q-uite different treatment. 

 Spasmodic colic abvays begins suddenly. If feeding, the horse is seen 

 to stop aln-uptly, stamp impatiently, and prol^ably look backwards. 



