DISBASES OP THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 65 



Superpurgation. This is the name given to that diarrhea or flux 

 induced by and following the action of a physic. It is accompanied by 

 irritation or even inflammation of the bowels, and is always of a serious 

 character. In rare cases it follows an ordinary dose of physic. It is 

 usually the result of too large a dose of physic; to giving physic to hors- 

 es suffering from pneumonia, influenza, or other debilitating diseases; 

 to riding or driving a hoi'se when purging; to exposure or draughts of 

 cold air, or giving large quantities of cold water while physic is operating. 

 There is always darger of sup^rpurgation if a physic is given a horse 

 suffering from diseases of the respiratory organs. When physic is given 

 always feed the animal on sloppy food or mashes, until the physic be- 

 gins to operate; clothe the body with a warm blanket; keep out of 

 draughts. After physic has thoroughly operated, the purging can gen- 

 erally be stopped by feeding dry oats and hay. If it does not stop give 

 flax-seed tea, oatmeal or wheat-flour gruel. If these are not satisfactory 

 in result, give one-half dram doses of sulphuric acid in one-half pint of 

 water twice or three times a day. If the animal has become weakened, 

 give brandy in doses of from two to four ounces, with milk and eggs 

 four or five times a day. "'Founder" is a frequent result of this disease, 

 and should be guarded against by removing shoes and standing the 

 horse on moist sawdust or some similiar bedding. 



Dysentery or Bloody Flux, This disease is characterized by 

 coffee-colored or bloody discharges, liquid, and very offensive in odor 

 and passed with much tenesmus (straining). It is rare in the horse. 



Symptoms. The first symptom is a chill which will probably pass 

 unnoticed. The discharges are offensive and for the most part liquid, 

 although it is common to find lumps of solid fecal matter floating in the 

 liquid portion; shreds of mucous membrane and blood are passed; there 

 is much straining, and, occasionally, sjmiptoms of abdominal pain; the 

 animal lies down a great deal; pulse is quickened and the temperature 

 raised. The appetite may remain fair, but in spite of this the horse 

 continues to lose flesh, and becomes a sorry looking object. Thirst is a 

 prominent symptom. Death usually follows in from one to three we^ks. 



What to Do. Care and feeding is more to be depended upon than 

 any drugs or medicine. First the horse should be placed in a warm, 

 dry, well ventilated stable; the skin is to receive attentisn by frequent 

 rubbings and the body should be well blanketed and the legs bandaged. 

 Water pure and given in small quantities; the food should be light and 

 easily digested. As to medicine give first a light dose of castor oil, 



