154 THE HORSE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



When they have been excreted, his system will demand materials 

 for repair, with the result of healthy general stimulation. On the 

 other hand, animals suffering from debilitating diseases should be 

 tempted with appetizing food of an easily digested and nutritious 

 nature, as good food plays an important part in the treatment of 

 siclc animals, building up the weakened and wasted tissues. 

 Food should be given only in small quantities, as the animal will 

 usually have a poor appetite, and any portion left over soon becomes 

 tainted with stable odors, which render it unpalatable. When 

 such food is left before the patient for any length of time it will 

 have a tendency to take away all appetite. The best way to 

 increase the appetite of a horse is to change the character of his 

 feed frequently. Food that is wet, such as bran mashes or steamed 

 oats, will soon sour in warm weather, or will get cold in the winter. 

 Colic and diarrhea often result when food of this character is eaten. 

 Feed which has been slobbered on undergoes fermentation very 

 rapidly, due to the action of the saliva upon the food constituents. 

 Food should not be forced upon a horse, for we should remember 

 that the state of his appetite is the best guide by which we may 

 know whether his system requires food. Common salt, according 

 to Kellner, exerts a physiologic action in digestion by serving as a 

 spice or condiment which stimulates the appetite and increases the 

 palatabihty of the food. It also stimulates the secretion of the 

 digestive juices, increases and hastens their action, and prevents 

 digestive disturbances. As a complement to the food it is of prime 

 importance. 



Water should be kept constantly within reach of a sick horse. 

 It should be pure and fresh. The animal will often rinse out his 

 mouth, and if suffering from a feverish condition will find much 

 relief even if not thirsty. When allowed to stand about for any 

 length of time water becomes flat. Drinking-water should be 

 curtailed if diarrhea is present. The custom of taking the chill off 

 water is beneficial. Ice-cold water is bad for all animals. Water 

 as a diluent of the digestive fluids permits them to come in contact 

 with and thus act more efficiently on foods ; the softening materially 

 assists in the processes of mastication, digestion, absorption, and 

 assimilation. Furthermore, it is useful in eliminating nitrogenous 

 waste from the body through the urine. Medicines should not be 

 given in the water unless they are tasteless. As a rule, it is safe to 

 allow horses all the water they desire to drink. 



