6o THE HORSB. 



tian, four ounces each, mix and give heaping tablespoonful twice a day 

 before feeding. This powder is best given by dissolving the above dose 

 in a half pint of water and given as a drench. 



DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 



Spasmodic or Cramp Colic. Commonly called gripes. It is 

 that form of colic produced by contraction, or spasm, of a portion of the 

 small intestines. It is caused by indigestible food ; foreign bodies, as 

 hails or stones in the bowels ; large drinks of cold water when the ani- 

 mal is warm ; driving a heated animal through deep streams ; cold rain ; 

 draughts of cold air ; etc. 



Study the Symptoms. Study carefully the symptoms to dis- 

 tinguish this from other forms of colic requiring quite a different treat- 

 ment. Spasmodic colic alwaj's begins suddenly. If feeding, the horse 

 stops suddenly, stamps impatiently, looks backward, then resumes feed- 

 ing, to be followed by pawing, suddenly lying down, rolling, and getting 

 up. Then an interval of ease, and the animal eats again and appears 

 well. Then the pain returns increasing in severity only to pass off for 

 a time. The intervals of ease getting shorter and shorter. Animals 

 with this kind of colic show the most severe pain ; they throw them- 

 selves down; roll over and over; jump up; whirl about; drop down again; 

 paw or strike with the front feet ; steam and sweat ; make frequent at- 

 tempts to pass urine with partial erection. Only a small quantity of 

 water passed at a time, because the bladder being so frequently emptied, 

 THERE IS BUT LITTLE WATER TO PASS. The attempts to urinate are 

 often thought to be sure symptoms of kidney and bladder trouble. Re- 

 member diseases of the bladder or kidneys are very rare. The stomach 

 and intestines are diseased a thousand times, where the kidneys or blad- 

 der is once. The attempts to pass water and failure to do so are not 

 enough to warrant the decision that the animal has "trouble with his 

 water, ' ' neither should a statement be made that the horse has kidnej^ 

 disease, even if it yields or sinks when pinched over the loins. Try this 

 pressure on any horse, and nearly all will yield ; this is rather a sign of 

 health than a symptom of disease. 



Keep in mind the conditions to which the animal has been subjected • 

 the suddenness of the attack ; the intervals of a lessening of pain (grow- 

 ing shorter as the case progresses) ; the severe pain ; the temperature and 

 pulse getting natural during the intervals of pain ; the frequent attempts 



