832 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



purging. The looseness stops as suddenly as it commenced. 

 Obstinate costiveness then sets in, and each state can be 

 traced to no obvious reason. The straw or litter may be 

 eaten ravenously, but all wholesome provender obstinately 

 refused. The dung shows the condition of the appropriating 

 functions ; it crumbles upon the slightest force being im- 

 posed ; it appears to consist of fibres not agglutinated 

 together. Sometimes it is coated with mucus; and always 

 smells abhorrently. A dry cough may be present ; the 

 visible membranes are pallid ; the mouth feels cool ; the 

 breath is tainted ; the eyes are sunken ; the respiration is 

 catching ; the belly is pendulous ; the anus is lax and 

 prominent ; the coat dry and ragged ; while the body 

 quickly becomes emaciated. 



The slightest exertion produces a thick and copious 

 sweat. The symptom, however, w^hich is most remarkable, 

 when the cleanly habits natural to the animal are considered, 

 is the peculiarity of the appetite. The rack and manger 

 are generally neglected ; but every unnatural or offensive 

 substance within reach of the extended jaws is devoured 

 with avidity. Woodwork has largely disappeared. Soil and 

 stones have been removed from the stomachs of creatures 

 destroyed for incurable disease. Either of the substances 

 last named, however, are usually spared so long as a 

 morsel of plaster, a portion of mortar or of brick is within 

 reach. Animals, when in the field, will leave the grass and 

 enter any ditch to gnaw at bricks and mortar. When con- 

 fined, they will, under the morbid influence of this aflfection, 

 employ themselves for hours searching for a morsel of 

 either amongst the straw. 



The old custom of purging and bleeding for a case of this 

 kind is positively injurious. It is better to administer 

 bitters, alkalies, and sedatives: the first, to amend the 

 appetite ; the second, to correct the acidity of the morbid 

 secretion ; the third, to destroy the uneasy sensation which 

 provokes too many of the symptoms. 



Strychnia J grain. 



Bicarbonate of ammonia ... 1 drachm. 

 Extract of belladonna ... J drachm. 



Sulphate of zinc i drachm. 



Extract of gentian and powdered quassia, of each a 

 sufficiency. 



