CHAPTER in. 



Diseases Common to the Digestive 

 Organs 



FEEDING SICK ANIMALS 



It must be borne in mind that food or drink should not br 

 forced on sick stock ; that w hat food is presented should be tempting. 

 To be so it must be fresh, all traces of the last offering having 

 been removed ; in fact, if an animal does not clean up its allowance 

 within a reasonable time, the materials should be removed so as 

 to avoid tainting- the feed box. The same rule applies to the drink- 

 ing water. 



T.axativc food is indicated in sickness, with few exceptions; 

 in fact, those cases laid up on account f)f wounds need laxativr 

 food and a reduction in quantity. Variety counts for a great deal 

 with the sick animal. For such purposes boiled food, bran mashes, 

 grass, carrots, potatoes, small green wheat, oats, corn, etc., may 

 be used in limited quantities. Milk and eggs are also of value, 

 hut will have to be given in a drench as a rule. The BRAN MASTI 

 should be made as follows : Scald a pail, throw out the water. 

 l)ut in a gallon of bran and a tablespoonful of salt, add two to three 

 pints of boiling water, depending on the consistency desired, mix 

 well, and cover up for 15 minutes, when it may be placed before 

 the patient. A tablespoonful or two of powdered ginger added 

 to a bran mash makes a nice feed for a tired or over-driven horse, 

 and should be given before oats are ofTered. Horses will rarely burn 

 themselves; they do not care for sloppy mashes. To make linseed 

 (flaxseed) tea take one pound of the seed and boil in four to six 

 quarts of water until the grains are soft. The linseed tea and bran 

 may be combined with benefit. Hay tea — run good hay through 

 the cutting box and half fill a pail with it, then fill up with boiling 

 water, let stand until cold and give the clear fluid. Raw linseed 

 oil is often given in the feed in quantities of from one-quarter to 

 one-half pint daily; it is very valuable in "Heaves," and puts a 

 gloss on the hide, besides acting mildly on the bowels. 



