THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 335 



morbid susceptibility that a full dose of purging mass is 

 very apt to bring on diarrhoea. Besides, keeping up a very 

 moderate discharge from the bowels is, in the end, produc- 

 tive of more benefit than giving full doses of physic. 

 When scouring is actually present, without any medicine 

 having been given, or in a case where ever so little aloes 

 induces it, much good may be effected by administering 

 hydrarg. cum creta in doses of a quarter ounce once or 

 twice a day, made into a ball with common treacle. Cases 

 in which, on the contrary, costiveness is a prominent 

 symptom — there appearing to be a deficiency of bile — are 

 benefited by the exhibition of a scruple of calomel once a 

 day, either in combination with a drachm or a drachm 

 and a half of purging mass, or else followed up by a dose 

 of physic. 



Change of diet will often much assist in the restoration 

 of healthy digestive functions. When green meat can be 

 procured, soiling in the stable will be advisable ; though in 

 mild weather, and when flies are not troublesome, a run at 

 grass is to be preferred. Breathing the open air all day 

 long, with the moderate exercise the animal takes of his 

 own accord, being both very conducive to his health. In 

 the winter season, carrots are given with advantage. 

 Swedish turnips are also commendable; and bruised or 

 scalded oats may be tried. When simply the mastication 

 is found faulty, mingling the oats with chaff often proves 

 a preventive. Linseed and malt may be given in mashes, 

 or the latter may be made into tea ; or hay-tea may be 

 offered ; though the horse is not likely to drink either of 

 them voluntarily, unless he has been kept short of water. 

 Drink should be given ad lihituon, the pail being so placed 

 that he can help himself. 



DIARRHOEA. 



The leading symptom of diarrhoea is the voiding of the 

 faeces in a liquid state. In other words, an increased peri- 

 staltic action with a greater secretion of watery fluid in the 

 intestines, or a deficiency of the absorbent power as regards 

 the fluid contents ; or lastly, an irritability or slight 

 inflammation of the mucous lining of the stomach. 



It is distinguished from dysentery by the purging being 

 incomplete from the very first ; by its being less copious, 



