Diseases of the Digestive System. 195 
facilitates passage of the mass to the rectum and 
removed.- A few days may be required for this purpose, 
during which the animal should receive only fluid laxa- 
tive aliment, with opiates or other antispasmodics. 
Enteritis, or Jnjflammation of the Intestines—The 
muscular coat of the tube is the seat of the malady, the 
causes being impaction by indigestible substances, the 
“passage of one portion passing within another, or some 
other form of strangulation; exposure to excessive cold 
and wet after removal of the coat ; exhibition of poison- 
ous doses of medicine or deliberate poisoning. It is also 
apt to arise from the absorption of local remedies used in 
excess for the eradication of mange. 
Symptoms.—Continued pain and distress is evinced by 
cries and the appearance also of the eyes, with severe 
abdominal pain, high fever, and increase of temperature. 
Pressure on the abdomen increases the suffering ;, yet the 
animal finds some comfort in stretching himself on the 
ground, courting the coolness of the stones or earth to 
counteract the heat of the abdominal muscles. Asa rule 
he seeks the quiet of a secluded corner, where he may be 
found, lying in perfect agony on his side and uttering 
piercing cries. The bowels are confined and the urine, 
voided only in very small quantities, is highly coloured 
and has a strong odour. The pulse is small, hard, and 
rapid; the nose is hot, thirst is considerable and the tail 
is firmly contracted over the anus and forward upon the 
abdomen. When the disease is due to poisons, vomiting 
is constant, the ejected fluids being mixed with blood. 
The mouth, ears, and legs become cold, the body smells 
disagreeably, the abdomen enlarges, the pulse and heart- 
beats becomes faint and at length imperceptible, and 
convulsions terminate in death. A chronic form of the 
disease may occur, which is indicated by intermittent 
colic, alternate constipation and diarrhoea, with tense 
abdomen, flatulence, &c., and more or less continuous 
vomiting, terminating in weakness, collapse, and death. 
_Treatment.—First learn the cause. If the disease 
arises from impaction, foreign objects, worms, &c., 
administer a mi/d dose of salad oil. Enemas of warm 
