49 



matter; low, damp, and dark stables, particularly if crowded; the 

 existence of some disease, as tuberculosis of the abdominal form. 



Symptoms. — The initial symptom is a chill, which probably escapes 

 notice in the majority of instances. The discharges are offensive and 

 for the most part liquid, although it is common to find lumps of solid 

 fecal matter floating in this liquid portion ; shreds of mucous mem- 

 brane and blood are passed, or the evacuations may be muco-purulent; 

 there is much straining, and, rarely, sjTuptoms of abdominal pain; the 

 horse lies down a great deal ; the pulse is quickened and the tempera- 

 ture elevated. The appetite may remain fair, but in spite of this the 

 horse rai)idly loses flesh and becomes a sorry-looking object. Death 

 rarely follows under two to three weeks. Thirst is a prominent 

 symptom. 



Treatment. — This is most unsatisfactory, and I am inclined to place 

 more dependence ujjon the care and feed than any medication that 

 may be adopted. First of all the horse must be placed in a dry, warm, 

 yet well- ventilated stable ; the skin is to receive attention by frequent 

 rubbings of the surface of the body, with lilankets, and bandages to 

 the legs. The water must be pure and given in small quantities; the 

 food, that which is light and easily digested. Medicinally, we must 

 give at first a light dose of castor oil, about one-half pint, to which has 

 been added 2 ounces of laudanum. The vegetable or mineral astrin- 

 gents are also to be given. Starch injections containing laudanum 

 often afford great relief. The strength must be kept uji by milk 

 punches, eggs, beef tea, oat-meal gruel, etc. In spite of the best care 

 and treatment, however, dysentery mostly proves fatal. 



Hcemorrlioids — PiJes. — These are rare in horses, although more fre- 

 quently met with than most people suppose. Thej^ are diagnosed by 

 the appearance of bright-red irregular tumors after defecation, which 

 may remain visible at all times or be seen only when the horse is doAvn 

 or after passing his manure. They are mostly due to constipation, 

 to irritation or injuries, o'r follow from the severe straining during 

 dysentery. I have observed them to follow from severe labor pains 

 in the mare. 



Treatment. — Attention must be i^aid to tlie condition of the bowels; 

 they should be soft, but inirging is to be avoided. The tumors should 

 be washed in warm water and thoroughly cleansed, after which we 

 must scarify them and gently but firmly squeeze out the liquid that 

 will be seen to follow the shallow incisions. While this treatment 

 maybe considered as heroic, to say the least, by medical practitioners, 

 yet it has invariably proven successful in my experience, no bad 

 results following. After thus squeezing these tumors and before 

 replacing through the anus, bathe the parts with some anodyne wash. 

 I prefer for this purpose the glycerite of tannin and laudanum in 

 equal parts. Mucilaginous injections into the rectum may be of 

 service for a few davs. 



