DISEASES OP THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. .69 



treated, results in death. It is caused by overfeeding, especially of 

 bulky feed containing an excess of indigestible residue; old, dry, hard 

 hay, or stalks when largely fed ; deficiency of secretions of the intes- 

 tinal tracts ; lack of water ; want of exercise, medicines, etc. 



Impaction of the large bowels is to be diagnosed by a slight 

 abdominal pain, which may disappear for a day or two to reappear 

 with more violence. The feces are passed somewhat more frequently, 

 but in smaller quantities and drier; the abdomen is full, but not dis- 

 tended with gas ; the horse at first is noticed to paw and soon begins 

 to look back at his sides. Probably one of the most characteristic 

 symptoms is the position assumed when down. He lies flat on his 

 side, head and legs extended, occasionally raising his head to look 

 toward his flank; he remains on his side for from five to fifteen 

 minutes at a time. Evidently this position is the one giving the most 

 freedom from pain. He rises at times, walks about the stall, paws, 

 looks at his sides, backs up against the stall, which he presses with his 

 tail, and soon lies down again, assuming his favored position. The 

 intestinal sounds, as heard by applying the ear to the flank, are dimin- 

 ished, or there is no sound, indicating absence of motion of the bowels. 

 The bowels may cease entirely to move. The pressure of the dis- 

 tended intestine upon the bladder may cause the horse to make fre- 

 quent attempts to urinate. The pulse is but little changed at first, 

 being full and sluggish; later, if this condition is not overcome, it 

 becomes rapid and feeble. Horses may suffer from impaction of the 

 bowels for a week, yet eventually recover, and cases extending two 

 or even three weeks have ended favorably. As a rule, however, they 

 seldom last more than four or five days, many, in fact, dying sooner 

 than this. 



The treatment consists of efforts to produce movement of the bowels 

 and to prevent inflammation of the same from arising. A large 

 cathartic is to be given as early as possible. Either of the follow- 

 ing is recommended: Powdered Barbados aloes 1 ounce, calomel 2 

 drams, and powdered nux vomica 1 dram; or linseed oil 1 pint and 

 croton oil 15 drops; or from 1 pint to 1 quart of castor oil may be 

 given. Some favor the administration of Epsom or Glauber's salt, 

 1 pound, with one-quarter poiind of common salt, claiming that this 

 causes the horse to drink largely of water, thus mechanically soften- 

 ing the impacted mass and favoring its expulsion. Whichever physic 

 is selected, it is essential that a full dose be given. This is much 

 better than small and repeated doses. It must be borne in mind that 

 horses require about twenty-four hours in which to respond to a 

 physic, and under no circumstances is it to be repeated sooner. If 

 aloes has been given and has failed to operate at the proper time, 

 oil or some different cathartic should then be administered. Allow 



