DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 



By CH. B. MICHENER, V. S., 



Professor of Cattle Fathologij and Obstetrics at the Xew York College -of Veterinary Sur- 

 geons, Inspector Bureau of Animal Industry, etc. 



It will not prove an easy task to write " a plain account of the com- 

 mon diseases, with directions for preventive measures, hygienic care, 

 and the simpler forms of medical treatment" of the digestive organs of 

 the horse. This study includes a careful consideration of the food and 

 drink of our animals, their quality, quantiiy, analyses, etc. Tbis, of. 

 itself, is material for a book. Being limited as to space, one must en- 

 deavor to give simply an outline •, to state the most important facts, 

 leaving many gaps, and continually checking the disposition to write 

 anything like a full description as to cause, prevention, and modes of 

 treatment of disease. 



These articles are addressed entirely to farmers and stoek-owners, 

 and I must ask my professional brethren to bear this in mind, when 

 disposed to complain of a want of scientilic treatment of the subjects. 



Water. — It is generally held, at least in practice, that any water that 

 stock can be induced to drink is sufficiently pure for their use. Tliis 

 practice occasions losses that would startle us if statistics were at hand. 

 Water that is impure from the presence of decomposing organic mat- 

 ter, such as is found in wells and ponds in close proximity to manure 

 heaps and cess-pools, is frequently the cause of diarrhea, dysentery, 

 and many other diseases of stock, while water that is inipregnated with 

 different poisons, and contaminated with specific media of contagion, 

 produces death in very many instances. 



Considering first the quantity of water required by the horse, it may 

 be stated that when our animals have access to water continually they 

 never drink to excess. Were the horse subjected to ship-voyages, or 

 any other circumstances where he must depend upon his attendant for 

 the supply of water, it may be roughly stated that each horse requires 

 a daily average of about 8 gallons of water. This will vary some- 

 what upon the character of his food ; if upon green food, less water 

 will be needed than when fed upon dry hav and grain. 



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