CHAPTER III. 



Diseases of the Abdomen. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 



Cattle seldom are attacked with inflammation of the 

 bowels, whereas horses are remarkably prone to the 

 disease. This immunity in all probability is due to 

 the prolonged and very thorough cooking process to 

 which the food is subjected in the stomachs of ruminat- 

 ing animals. 



Symptoms. — The chief symptom by which this 

 disease is characterised, is great restlessness, ac- 

 companied by a violent, griping pain, and the animal 

 will frequently turn his head towards his belly, and 

 even endeavour to strike it with his hind-foot. The 

 pulse is rapid, and the breathing oppressed ; and it is 

 not unusual for the animal, while suffering severe 

 pain, to break out into profuse perspiration. The 

 most prompt measures must be adopted, or the disease 

 will end in mortification and death. 



Cause. — This malady may proceed from drinking 

 cold water too copiously after being overheated by 

 being overdriven, or being exposed to the noon-day 

 summer sun, or placed in a sheltered locality where 

 there is no free circulation of air. It may also have 

 its origin in costiveness. 



Remedies. — The treatment to be adopted will 



2F 



