DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 19] 
only a few days, to have sufficient water transported with him 
to last during Lis stay, such a dread have English grooms of 
“strange water,” as they term it. Now, it is a notorious fact that 
English horses are more subject to bowel affections than those of 
this country. From this circumstance, I infer that bowel affec- 
tions are hereditary, or, in othe: words, a predisposition to such 
is transmitted from parents to offspring. 
T can well remember the time when physicians would not allow 
a fever patient to taste water; but now they act more in accord- 
ance with reason, and allow the sick just what they crave for. It 
is not good policy, however, to allow a horse, when performing a 
journcy, a bountiful supply of water, because active exercise some. 
what stwpends the digestive function, and, therefore, the water 
may remain in a portion of the large intestines without undergo- 
ing the usual transformation. It then occupies space, and, being 
weighty, may, in the rapid movements of the animal, operate un- 
favorably in various ways, more particularly on the gut itself, it 
being pendulous from the spine. 
A horse is often brought into the stable in a state of profuse per- 
spiration, and, of course, is somewhat exhausted. Now, it would 
be decidedly wrong to either feed or water him until he is rubbed 
dry, and has rested awhile; for, at such times food is just as likely, 
and, I think, more so than water, to operate unfavorably on an 
exhausted animal. Many horses, however, even when in this 
exhausted state, will fill their stomachs with food and water, and 
yet enjoy immunity from colic. Therefore, should colic occur in a 
norse after he has had a hard drive, he having partaken of a 
draught of water, it is rather difficult to decide which of the two, 
if either, was the cause of the malady. One fact is certain, and 
that is, the stomach is deranged, and, therefore, fermentation pre- 
cedes digestion; hence the gas. 
Notwithstanding our best efforts to prevent it, colic will occa- 
sionally occur. Green grass, clover, carrots, and turnips are said 
to occasion it. Then, again, it appears in stables, where nothing 
but corn, oats, and hay are used. One horse is attacked imme- 
diatery after a draught of cold water; another has the chill taken 
off his, yet he is often found in the same predicament. Warm 
water is the most insipid and nauseating drink that you can offer 
a horse; and many would prefer to continue thirety for some time 
ere they would imbibe it. . 
