43 



on his side, bead and legs extended, oceasionalh' raising liis head to 

 look toward his flank; he remains on his side for from five to fifteen 

 minutes at a time. Evidently this position is the one giving the most 

 freedom from pain. He rises at times, walks about the stall, paws, 

 looks at his sides, backs up against the stall, which he presses Avithhis 

 tail, and soon lies do\\ii again, assuming his favored position. The 

 bowels have ceased entirely to move. The pulse is but little changed 

 at first, being full and sluggish; later, if this condition is not over- 

 come, it becomes rapid and feeble. I have known horses to suffer 

 from impaction of the boAvels for a week, jet eventually recover, and 

 others have reported cases extending two or even three weeks which 

 ended favorably. As a rule, however, they seldom last over four or 

 five days, many, in fact, dying sooner than this. 



The irecdment consists of efforts to produce movement of the bowels, 

 and to prevent inflammation of the same from arising. A large cathar- 

 tic is to be given as early as possible; either of the following are 

 recommended : Powdered Barbadoes aloes 1 ounce, calomel 2 drams, 

 and powdered nux vomica 1 dram; or linseed oil 1 pint, and croton 

 oil 15 droxDS. Some favor the administration of Epsom salts, 1 pound, 

 with one-quarter pound of common salt, claiming that this causes the 

 horse to drink largely of water, and thus mechanically softening the 

 impacted mass and favoring its expulsion. Whichever physic is 

 selected it is Cvssential that you give a full dose. This is much better 

 than small and relocated doses. It must be borne in mind that horses 

 require about twenty-four hours in which to respond to a phj'sic, and 

 under no circumstances are physics to be repeated sooner than this. 

 If aloes has been given and has failed to operate at the projier time, 

 oil or some different cathartic should then be administered. Allow 

 the hoi-se all the water he will drink. The action of the physic may 

 be aided by giving, every three or four hours, one-half ounce of tinc- 

 ture of belladonna, or one-half dram of powdered nux vomica. Copious 

 enemas are to be given every hour, and should be varied; giving first 

 soapy water, then salt and water, or the emulsions of turpentine 

 already alluded to in describing other diseases of the bowels. Enemas 

 of glycerine, 2 to 4 ounces, are often l)eneficial. Rubbing or knead- 

 ing of the abdominal walls, the application of stimulating liniments 

 or strong mustard water will also, at times, favor the expulsion of this 

 mass. Walking exei-cise must occasionally be given. If this treat- 

 ment is faithfully carried out from the start the majority of cases will 

 terminate favorably. Where relief is not obtained inflammation of 

 the bowels may ensue, and death follow from this cause. 



Constipation or costiveness is often witnessed in the horse, and par- 

 ticularly in the foal. Many colts die every year from failure on the 

 part of the attendant to note the condition of the bowels soon after 

 birth. Whenever the foal fails to pass anj^ feces, and in i^articular if 

 it presents any signs of colicky pains — straining, etc. — hnmediate 



