64 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA 



able have their special purpose; since the presence of 

 atmospheric air in the stomach is accessory to digestion." 

 {Lcared.) 



I submit that the foregoing observations indicate, as 

 a general rule, the advisability of giving grain in a dry 

 state. 



The presence of salt in the food excites the flow of 

 saliva in the mouth ; hence, if boiled or steeped food be 

 used, it should be given mixed with that condiment ; 

 because, owing to the moist and soft state of the grain, 

 a deficient amount of saliva will be secreted. 



Having reached the stomach — the capacity of which is 

 from 3 to 3 J gallons — the food becomes mixed with the gas- 

 tric juice, which flows slowly at first. This secretion is liable 

 to become checked by violent exercise, or by the stomach 

 becoming unduly distended. If it be largely diluted with 

 water, its action will be arrested, until the excess of that 

 fluid be absorbed. Cold also stops the performance of its 

 functions ; for it will not act at a temperature much below 

 blood heat. A moderate supply of hot spices stimulates its 

 secretion. When the supply or action of the gastric juice — 

 which is a natural antiseptic — is checked, the food that 

 is in the stomach at the time is apt to become decomposed 

 with the probable result of indigestion, flatulent colic, and 

 even rupture of the stomach, caused by the evolution of 

 gas. Hence we may conclude that horses ought not to 

 be watered soon after being fed, and that they should not 

 be given large supplies of boiled food which is very bulky 

 in comparison to the amount of nutriment it contains, and 

 can also be rapidly swallowed. Besides, exciting but a 

 small secretion of saliva, it arrives in the stomach in an 



