THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 345 



In the first stage or that of simple acidity of the stomach, if taken in 

 time, treatment is comparatively easy. It is called sour stomach, acute 

 gastritis, indigestion, tympany, etc. 



Causes* — Suspended digestion and consequent fermentation from over- 

 loading the stomach with improperly chewed food. This will never occur 

 in slow feeders that fully grind and saturate the food with saliva, since in 

 this case the appetite is fully satisfied before overloading ensues. Colic 

 may occur by giving large draughts of water immediately after feeding, 

 thus washing forward the food beyond the stomach. Sour stomach may 

 also ensue from indigestible and easily fermented food, and inflammation 

 from eating plants that irritate the stomach. 



How to know it. — The first symptoms are sour stomach, simple colic, 

 or fermentation. There is fullness, causing undue distension, then 

 quickened, deep, but oppressed breathing ; the animal is dull and stupid ; 

 there is increasing pain, and at length, if relief is not obtained, more 

 violent symptoms set in. 



What to do. — Grive immediately one or two ounces of magnesia. 

 Evacuate the bowels by means of injections of warm water. Rub the 

 belly with considerable friction one way, from the forelegs back. If 

 there is griping give the following : 



No. 85. 15 to 20 Drops oil of peppermint, 



1 Ounce of laudanum. 



If the weather ib cold, blanket and walk the horse to assist in giving 

 relief. 



In the case of the ox, give double the dose mentioned ; sheep one- 

 quarter to one-third the dose for the horse, except of laudanum, of 

 which give the sheep, 2 to 3 drachms. 



n. Colic. 



This may be of two kinds, spasmodic, or flatulent colic. The first i» 

 the result of cramps or spasmodic contractions, causing severe pain with 

 tendency to inflammation. The other of distension of the bowels with 

 tendency to inflammation and rupture of the coats. 



How to know Spasmodic Colic. — There will be spasms of pain, with paw- 

 ing, striking of the belly with the hind foot, looking round at the flanks, 

 lying down and suddenly getting up, rolling, or h'ing stretched out for 

 an instant ; then suddenly rising, the horse will shake himself as the 

 pain intermits. Again the pain returns and the same performances are 

 gone through. There may be frequent small discharges from the bowels 



