72 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



tion of mustard or blisters over the abdominal walls. Tonics, min- 

 eral and vegetable, are also indicated. Probably the best tonic is one 

 consisting of powdered sulphate of iron, gentian, and ginger in equal 

 parts ; a heaping tablespoonful of the mixture is given as a drench or 

 mixed with the feed, twice a day. Good nutritious foods and gentle 

 exercise complete the treatment. 



DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 



The liver of the horse is, in the United States, but rarely the seat 

 of disease, and when we consider how frequently the liver of man is 

 aifected this can not but appear strange. The absence of the gall 

 bladder may account to a certain extent for his freedom from liver 

 diseases; as overdistention of this and the presence in it of calculi 

 (stones) in man is a frequent source of trouble. In domestic animals, 

 as in man, hot climates tend to produce diseases of the liver, just as in 

 cold climates lung diseases prevail. Not only are diseases of the liver 

 rare in horses in temperate climates, but they are also very obscure, 

 and in many cases pass totally unobserved until after death. There 

 are some symptoms, however, which, when present, should make us 

 examine the liver as carefully as possible. These are jaundice 

 (yellowness of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes) 

 and the condition of the dung, it being light in color and pasty in 

 appearance. 



Hepatitis, or inflammation or the liver. — This disease may be 

 general or local, and may assume an acute or chronic form. 



The symptoms of acute hepatitis are : Dullness ; the horse is suffer- 

 ing from some internal pain, but not of a severe type ; constipated and 

 clay-colored dung balls ; scanty and high-colored urine ; and general 

 febrile symptoms. If lying down, he is mostly found on the left side ; 

 looks occasionally toward the right side, which, upon close inspection, 

 may be found to be slightly enlarged over the posterior ribs, where 

 pain upon pressure is also evinced. Obscure lameness in front, of the 

 right leg mostly, may be a symptom of hepatitis. The horse, toward 

 the last, reels or staggers in his gait and falls backward in a fainting 

 fit, during one of which he finally succumbs. Death is sometimes due 

 to rupture of the enveloping coat of the liver or of some of its blood 

 vessels. 



Causes. — Among the causes that lead to this disease we must men- 

 tion first the stimulating effect of overfeeding, particularly during 

 hot weather. Horses that are well fed and receive but little exercise 

 are the best subjects for diseases of this organ. We must add to 

 these causes the more mechanical ones, as injuries on the right side 

 over the liver, worms in the liver, gallstones in the biliary ducts, for- 

 eign bodies — as needles or nails that have been swallowed and in their 

 wanderings- have entered the liver — and, lastly, in some instances, ^e 



