138 INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. 



causes inflammation, and converts the ligaments of 

 the spine into bony matter. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH POISONS RUP- 

 TURE OF THE STOMACH — BOTS — WORMS. 



The stomach of the horse is very small compared 

 with the bulk of the animal. Nature designed this, 

 in order that its weight might not rest too oppres- 

 sively on the diaphragm, interfering with the action 

 of that important respiratory muscle. 



The stomach is not only small, but it is singularly 

 constructed. More than one-half is covered with in- 

 sensible cuticular membrane; and the remainder is 

 enveloped in villous membrane, similar to that which 

 lines the intestines. The food is first macerated 

 within the cuticular portion of the stomach ; and then 

 by the muscular portion of the part moved to the 

 villous coat, where it undergoes digestion. Inflam- 

 mation of the stomach, unless caused by eating too 

 large a quantity of food, is not characterized by any 

 symptoms which can readily be interpreted ; signs of 

 acute colic attended with violent thirst would, in such 

 cases, be exhibited. 



The stomach, however, occasionally becomes in- 

 flamed through the administration of poison. The 

 most common vegetable poison is the yew. The 

 horse will rarely eat it when green : but the half- 



