INDIRECTION. 431 



conditions being due to the sympathy which exists between the 

 skin, the sensitive laminae of the feet, and the mucous membrane 

 which lines the alimentaiy canal. The dung, owing to the absence 

 of a proper supply of bile, which is a jDowerful deodorizer, has a 

 foul smell, and is coniposed of imperfectly digested materials, the 

 hay and corn being passed in a more or less unaltered condition. 

 Hence, the dung loses its natural healthy colour and appearance. 

 '' In the stable, the horse is mostly inclined to be costive ; but when 

 taken to work or exercise is soon excited to jDurge" (Percivall). 

 He is often subject to colicky pains, especially soon after being 

 fed. The abdomen is frequently distended with gas, owing to the 

 digestive organs being unable to take up what they require 

 of the nutritive part of the food, and to exjDel the remainder before 

 it decomposes. 



TREATMENT. — Beyond advising the reader to avoid the causes 

 of indigestion, I have little to say regarding its cure, which is 

 chiefly a question of diet and stable management. A pint of lin- 

 seed oil may be given as a drench once a week. Mix through the 

 daily allowance of food, 2 oz. of the bicarbonate of soda, which is 

 not only an antacid, but is also a sedative to the mucous mem- 

 brane, and it assists the liver in the removal of deleterious matter 

 from the blood. Not more than seven or eight pounds of corn, 

 of which half may be dry bran, should be given ; and the horse 

 should have a liberal though judicious supply of carrots and green 

 food. Much benefit is often obtained by allowing the animal, if 

 he chooses, to eat earth, which may be supplied to him along with 

 fresh-cut sods. He should have the free use of salt, say, 3J oz. 

 a day in his food, or he may have in his manger, a lump of rock 

 salt, to lick when he likes. If there be debility, give vegetable 

 tonics, such as J drachm of nux vomica mixed through the food 

 twice a day, or a quart of ale with 2 drachms of gentian or chiretta 

 twice a day. If the action of the liver be suspected to be at fault, 

 give daily in a ball a drachm and a half of powdered ipecacuanha 

 for five or six days. 



Medicine in this disease should be employed very sparingly. 

 The horse should be warmly clothed, carefully exercised, and well 

 groomed, so as to improve his general health. In winter, clipping 

 the coat has often a good result. 



When everything else fails to restore the horse to health, try 

 the effect of a run at grass, not forgetting to allow him a supply 

 of salt. 



