DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 91 



Etiology. — Imperfect digestion from improper food, or it may arise 

 independently of any known cause; if it occurs during the progress of 

 any other disease, it is indicative of exhaustion of the animal powers. 



Symptoms. — More or less distention of the belly, which is resonant 

 on percussion. The expression of pain is not so acute as in spasmodic 

 colic, but more constant; there is more or less delirium; the animal is 

 unsteady upon his feet, and his extremities are cold. 



Treatment. — Give a cathartic : 



Castor oil § xij. 



or. 



Linseed oil 1 J pints 



Laudanum 3 ij. 



and in addition: 



Solution of ammonia § viij. 



Oil of turpentine §1. 



Linseed oil 4 pint 



or, if preferred, 



Asaf oetida | ij. 



Tincture of opium | ss. 



in a pint of water. 



Cases of slight colic, with intervals of considerable length, in which 

 the animal is free from pain, are sometimes continuous for several days. 

 The bowels do not respond freely to the effect of cathartic medicine recom- 

 mended, and slight pains return at intervals. Such cases are always 

 dangerous. They seem to arise from some defect in the biliary secre- 

 tions. They are best treated by administering five grains of calomel on 

 the tongue, every hour, until the bowels are acted upon. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES, 



Synonyms. — Peritonitis and Enteritis. 



Definition. — Enteritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane 

 of the bowels, and is said to be the most rapidly fatal inflammatory dis- 

 ease to which the horse is liable, destroying life in a few hours. 



