218 THE HORSE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



for example, such roughage as straw, chaff, corn-stalks, and very 

 coarse hay. All the symptoms exhibited in constipation are pres- 

 ent, but in a more marked degree. In addition, there may be ob- 

 served dulness, abdominal pain, and straining as if to urinate. 

 Masses of vegetable matter collect in large balls either in the 

 cecum or colon, due to failure of the muscles in the walls of the 

 bowel to act. This leads to intestinal obstruction. Soon the 

 added weight, together with the distention produced by the gases, 

 causes the bowel to overstretch. The result is interference with the 

 normal movements. Putrefaction of the retained fecal material 

 sets in and there are produced poisonous substances which are 

 rapidly absorbed. There results a typical intestinal auto-intoxica- 

 tion. For these cases use 1 quart of raw linseed oil mixed with 

 I ounce of fluidextract of nux vomica as one dose. The oil acts 

 as a lubricating agent, while the nux vomica adds tone to the 

 muscular part of the intestinal walls and facilitates passage of 

 the accumulated fecal material. 



DIARRHEA 



The term "diarrhea" is applied to the too fast passage of food 

 and liquids through the bowels. Purging and scouring are other 

 terms signifying the same condition. Loosely coupled horses, with 

 lack of spring to their ribs, are subject to recurring attacks of diar- 

 rhea from trifling changes of food, water, temperature, or exercise. 

 There is a common belief that horses of Ught sorrel, buckskin, or 

 dun color are predisposed to the disease. Diarrhea is often brought 

 on by working horses too soon after feeding. In such cases it may 

 be prevented and controlled by allowing longer periods of rest 

 after feeding. Greedy feeders are subject to diarrhea from bolting 

 their food in an improperly masticated condition. A few stones 

 the size of a goose egg placed in the feed box, or a feed of hay before 

 the grain is given, will prevent this. Bad or irregular teeth, indi- 

 gestion, unwholesome food, intestinal worms, and last, but not 

 least, bacterial infection may cause diarrhea. 



A diarrhea affords protection to the body by ridding it of great 

 numbers of putrefactive bacteria and other irritating substances. 

 When continued for any length of time it favors the maintenance 

 of inflammation and does harm. It is usually advisable in con- 

 trolling diarrhea to start with the administration of a physic. 

 This clears the intestines of irritating material, and should be 



