182 DADD’S VETERINARY MEDICINL AND SURGER\ 
not adapted to the emergency. Even the simple arti- motasses 
was objectionable, because it is an acid. The case required alka- 
lies, in the form of ammonia or chloride of lime. Gin was ob- 
jectionable, because it is an excitant of the brain and nervous 
system, when, instead of the brain, the stomach ought to have 
been stimulated. Niter, which was given, is an agent that in- 
creases urinary discharges only, and, therefore, was not needed. 
The trouble was in the stomach—to arouse its function and con- 
dense the gas which distended the same. Alkalies and tonics 
should have been administered, followed by such other treatment 
as the nature of the case demanded. We look upon this gin and 
molasses treatment as decidedly unprofitable to owners of live 
stock. It savors too much of our grandmothers’ castor-oil prac- 
tice, which often proves more heroic than salutary, does more 
harm than good, and, at the present day, is decidedly unpopular. 
Our advice to horse-owners, therefore, is, if you have a sick 
animal, and can not comprehend the nature of the disease, never 
attempt to prescribe for him, but call in the aid of a professional 
man. We give this advice under the conviction that domestic 
animals are subject to many of the diseases that afflict our race; 
that the treatment should be somewhat analagous, and the tact 
and skill not inferior, but superior, to that of the human practi- 
sioner. 
GoRGED, OR OVER-DISTENDED STOMACH, 
(COMMONLY CALIED ''GRAIN FOUNDER.’”. 
Gorged stomach is usually the result of overfeeding, ty whick 
means the stomach becomes overtaxed in its function, or over- 
burdened in its capacity; so that, in the first place, digestion is 
partially or totally suspended; and, secondly, the stomach, being 
distended beyond its physiological capacity, can not perform the 
mechanical action, viz.: contraction and expansion, so necessary 
for the physiological process of digestion. The act of digestion ix 
ronsummated through the aid of Nature’s chemistry, by means of 
the selivial fluids, bile and pancreatic juice. These are the solvents 
of all the digestible food. This chemical action receives much aid 
in the mechanical action of the muscular fibers of the stomach, 
which, by alternate contractions and expansions, keep not only the 
stomach in motion, but also its contents, and thus the food is di- 
gested. As regards overfeeding, however, it may be proper te 
remark, lest the groom or feeder take offense, that an animal may 
