INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES. 281 



It is not easy to offer a satisfactory explanation of the 

 origin of such tumours. The loose folds of mesentery at the 

 attached margin of the intestine of the horse, which often 

 contain an excessive accumulation of fat, become hytertro- 

 phied, and lead to the production of the growth, which drags 

 the peritonaeum, and becomes pedunculated. 



ENTERITIS. INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES. 



As a general rule, when the intestinal tube is inflamed, 

 the stomach is so also, and vice versa. 



The horse is not very subject to inflammation of the intes- 

 tine except as due to irritant poisons. The outer or peritoneal 

 coat often becomes inflamed in cases of abdominal wounds, 

 (see Peritonitis), but it is the mucous lining and muscular 

 coat that are first and chiefly involved in true enteritis. 



From the history I have given of colic, it will be observed 

 that there are not sufficient grounds for the fears entertained 

 when this disease is treated, lest it should terminate in in- 

 testinal inflammation. In fact, the substances which have 

 been reputed irritant by some, and likely to excite inflamma- 

 tory action, such as aloes and other purgatives, are really 

 curative by producing a free secretion and relief of the con- 

 gested vessels, whenever a cause is in operation giving rise 

 to irritation and spasmodic pain in the bowels. But the 

 poisons that I have mentioned as capable of inducing gastritis, 

 are also those which induce inflammation of the intestine, 

 and whether it be the pig poisoned with souse, or the horse 

 and ox with arsenic, there are certain symptoms totally 

 distinct from those of simple colic, which characterise the 

 disease. 



I wish, therefore, to be distinctly understood as regarding 

 enteritis a very rare condition in the many cases believed to 

 be inflammatory, which are usually attacks of spasmodic colic. 



