SXTB-ACUTE AHD CHEOJTIO BIABEHfflA. 351 



and its tendency, if neglected or improperly treated, is to 

 terminate in dysentery ; and sometimes (thougli rarely) in 

 Parcy or Glanders. 



Stmptoms. — The most conspicuous symptom of the disease 

 is that of the animal purging faecal matters, which are either 

 of a dirty brown colour, semi-fluid, and generally without 

 effluvium of an offensive character ; or semi-fluid, clay- coloured, 

 and emitting an effluvium not unlike that proceeding from 

 rotten eggs. The appetite may he good, or it may not — usually 

 it is the former ; but however regular and large the consump- 

 tion of food, the animal is so weak as to be incapable of long 

 contiQued exertion, either for saddle, harness, or draught 

 purposes. 



As the malady continues, the patient becomes slowly 

 reduced in condition; the appetite fails — the limbs swell — a 

 cough supervenes ; and in some cases Farcy and Glanders may 

 appear, and the animal becomes a loathsome object. 



Causes. — Horses of delicate constitutional vigour are prone 

 to this disease, which may be excited by causes of a trifling 

 nature. Improper food, or food not properly prepared, is one 

 cause. The long-continued application of cold and wet to the 

 skin. Allowing the animal to drink freely of water soon after 

 being fed, thereby washing the undigested food into the intes- 

 tines — which, irritating the mucous surfaces, gives rise to 

 Diarrhoea. The last named is a very common cause, and one 

 readily obviated. 



Teeatment. — The best remedies, in general are — Barbadoes 

 Aloes, Veratrum 1, Camphor, Sesquichloride of Iron, aud 

 China. 



