OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 109 



The contra-indications are these: 



1. The antacids. 



2. Carbonates and bicarbonates. 



If the carbonates are used in this condition, more gas is pro- 

 duced by the chemical action of the combination of the drugs in 

 the stomach, and therefore those who recommend them are 

 wrong. On the other hand, the neutral salts tend to liquefy the 

 gas already there. 



In every bad case of gastric flatulence it is a good plan to 

 pass a stomach tube. This opens the cardiac orifice and gives 

 relief. The antiseptics can be pumped through the tube and 

 then syphoned out again — this empties the stomach. After 

 emptying the stomach, pump into it a couple of gallons of water 

 with a little common salt dissolved in it, then syphon it out and 

 repeat if necessary. Turpentine is usually given in capsules, 

 may be given with oil. If the mouth is dry, the pure turpentine 

 will scald it. When mixing the turpentine with oil. use 

 equal parts. Bear in mind the nervous prostration and give 

 a stimulant, such as sulphuric ether, alcohol, capsicum, ginger, 

 strychnine, etc. In order to relieve the pain give an anodine — 

 fluid extract cannabis indica, chloral hydrate, and sulphuric ether. 

 Do not give opium, but a hypodermic of morphine, 4-5 grains 

 may be given. 



When the horse is relieved, feed on very light sloppy food 

 to avoid gastritis, for this is usually fatal in the horse. Find 

 out the cause if possible, make him eat slower, file his teeth, 

 give feeding of hay before the oats. 



ACUTE GASTRIC IMPACTION. 



This condition is an impaction of the stomach, producing 

 stupor; it is ordinarily known as stomach- staggers. In such 

 a case the horse gets loose in the night and gets at the grain or 

 bags of flour and loads his stomach with solid food. When the 

 stomach becomes filled in this way, it becomes paralyzed. The 

 horse is in a stupor, he hangs his head, doops his ears, partly 

 closes his eyes, stands with his face against the wall, and in- 

 clines his body forward. If the condition comes on when the 



