74 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



recover from it. This result can not obtain, however, if the rent or 

 tear is extensive, since in such cases death must quickly follow from 

 hemorrhage, or, later, from peritonitis. Enlarged liver is particu- 

 larly liable to rupture. 



Causes. — The immediate causes of rupture aj)pear to be excessive 

 muscular exertion, as leaping a fence, a fall, a blow from a collision, a 

 kick from a horse, or sudden distention of the abdomen with gas. 



The symptoms of rupture of the liver will depend upon the extent 

 of the laceration. If slight, there will be simply the symptoms of 

 abdominal pain, looking back to the sides, lying down, etc. ; if exten- 

 sive, the horse is dull and dejected, has no appetite, breathing be- 

 comes short and catching, he sighs or sobs, visible mucous mem- 

 branes are pale, extremities cold, pulse fast, small, and weak or 

 running down. Countenance now shows much distress, he sweats 

 profusely, totters in his gait, props his legs wide apart, reels, stag- 

 gers, and falls. He may get u]d again, but soon falls dead. The rapid 

 running-down pulse, paleness of the eyes, nose, and mouth, sighing, 

 stertorous breathing, tottering gait, etc., are symptoms by which we 

 know that the animal is dying from internal hemorrhage. 



Treatrtient. — But little can be done in the way of treatment. Opium 

 in powder, in doses of 2 drams every two or three hours, may be 

 given, with the idea of preventing as much as possible all movements 

 of internal organs. If there is reason to suspect internal bleeding, 

 we should give large and frequent doses of white-oak bark tea, dram 

 doses of tannic or gallic acid, or the same quantity of sugar of lead, 

 every half hour or hour. Fluid extract of ergot or tincture of the 

 chloride of iron, in ounce doses, may be selected. Cold water dashed 

 upon the right side or injected into the rectum is highly spoken of as 

 a means of checking the hemorrhage. 



Biliary calculi, or gallstones. — These are rarely found in the 

 horse, but may occupy the hej^atic ducts, giving rise to jaundice and 

 to colicky pains. There are no absolutely diagnostic symjDtoms, but 

 should one find a horse that suffers from repeated attacks of colic, 

 accompanied by symptoms of violent pain, and that during or follow- 

 ing these attacks the animal is jaundiced, it is j)0ssible that gallstones 

 are present. There is little or nothing to be done except to give 

 medicines to overcome pain, trusting that these concretions may pass 

 on to the bowels, where, from their small size, they will not occasion 

 any inconvenience. 



Diseases of the pancreas and spleen. — Diseases of the pancreas 

 rmd spleen are so rare, or their symptoms so little understood, that it 

 is impossible to write anything concerning either of these organs and 

 their simple diseases that will convey to the reader information of 

 practical value. 



