50 



If, when the symptoms of iuflammatiou subside, the bowels do not act, 

 try to encourage this by meaus of walking exercise and injections per 

 rectum. Should these fail a mild cathartic is indicated. 



Another form of disease, described by some as enteritis, by others as 

 muco enteritis ixwd'-'- anoplexy of the large Z>o^ce'.s,"is much more common. 

 It is perhaps the most rapidly fatal of all bowel diseases, and is seen 

 most frequently in heavy draught horses. Its causes are hard to deter- 

 mine, but it may follow exposure to cold storms, immersing the body 

 in cold water, and in fact about the same causes that produce true 

 enteritis. In this disease we find in the large bowels mostly an exten- 

 sive effusion or extravasation of blood between the mucous and muscular 

 coats, giving a bluish or black color. The intestinal walls are thickened 

 by this effusion and sometimes measure from 2 to 3 inches in thickness, 



The symptoms are severe and jiersistent pain, labored respiration, 

 rapid and zcealc pulse, profuse perspiration, aud paleness of the visible 

 mucous membranes, A peculiar, anxious expression exists that, once 

 seen, is almost diagnostic. Toward the last the horse sighs, breathes 

 stertorously, staggers and pitches about, and dies in a state of delirium. 

 They rarely live more than ten or twelve hours, and often die inside of 

 six hours. 



Treatment. — This is of but little avail, since the case has mostly made 

 great i^rogress before being seen. Probably the best domestic remedy 

 is white-oak bark tea given in large aud frequently repeated doses. 

 Tannic acid, 1 dram, or tiuid extract of ergot, 1 ounce, are preferable, 

 if at hand, and can be given every half hour until four or five doses 

 have been taken. Hot ai)plications to the body — blankets wrung out 

 of hot water and sprinkled with turpentine — are to be applied fre- 

 quently. Mustard water should be applied with smart friction to the 

 legs. Could we see these cases at their inception general bloodletting 

 might prove of service. 



Hernia. — There are several different kinds of hernice that require no- 

 tice at this point, not all of which, however, produce any serious symp- 

 toms or results. Abdominal hernia or ruptures are divided into reduci- 

 hie, irreducible, and strangulated, according to condition; aud 'into ingui- 

 nal, scrotal, ventral, umbilical and diaphragmatic, according to their 

 situation. A hernia is reducible when it can be easily returned into the 

 abdomen. It consists of a soft swelling, without heat, pain, or any 

 uneasiness, generally larger after a full meal, and decreases in size as 

 the bowels become empty. An irreducible hernia is one that can not be 

 returned into the abdomen, and yet does not cause any pain or uneasi- 

 ness. Strangulated hernia is one where the contents of the sac are 

 greatly distended, or where from pressure upon the blood-vessels of the 

 imprisoned portion the venous circulation is checked or stopped, thereby 

 causing extensive congestion, swelling, inflammation, and, if not re- 

 lieved, gangrene of the part and death of the animal. Hernia may be 

 congenital and accidental or acquired. 



