198 THE farmer's veterinarian 



prevails, with signs of pain in the bowels; breath- 

 ing is quickened and frequently a chill shows itself. 

 The horse acts very much as if he had a case of 

 colic. As the disease progresses the pain increases 

 and the pulse rises. In a few hours the pain be- 

 comes very severe and the animal is in great agony 

 all over; he breathes heavy, the legs and ears are 

 cold and clammy and the pulse very high. In 

 severe cases the pulse reaches to 100 and 105 beats 

 a minute. The horse now is very ill indeed. He 

 shows great weakness. It is very unlikely that he 

 will survive more than a day or two. The disease 

 usually runs from ten to fifteen hours, and unless 

 there is a change for the better, death results. 



When far advanced there is little likelihood of 

 successful treatment. Success lies only in early 

 work, taking the disease in time. A satisfactory 

 drench is made of 4 tablespoonfuls of tincture of 

 laudanum, 10 to 15 drops of tincture of aconite, i 

 tablespoonful of common soda, and i tablespoonful 

 of ginger. These are mixed in a pint of warm water 

 and given as a drench. Repeat this every hour 

 until the animal gets relief. A mustard plaster 

 gives relief when applied to the belly. A physic 

 is not considered advisable, as it increases the in- 

 flammation — ^just what is not wanted at all. 



The most rational treatment consists in allaying 

 the pain. Opium in teaspoonful doses every hour 

 until the pain is relieved is helpful. Some veteri- 

 nary practitioners use 10 grains of morphia and 4 

 tablespoonfuls of chloral hydrate in syrup and 

 water for each dose. This dose is repeated every 

 two or three hours until the symptoms abate. 



The diet should be carefully watched in diseases 

 of this kind. Bran mashes made with linseed tea 

 or slippery elm bark are suitable. Boiled food is 



