70. DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 



the horse all the water he will drink. Calomel may be administered 

 in half-dram doses, the powder being placed on the tongue, one dose 

 every two hours until four doses are given- 

 Enemas of glycerin, 2 to 4 ounces, are often beneficial. Rubbing 

 or kneading of the abdominal walls and the application of stimulat- 

 ing liniments or strong mustard water also, at times, favor the ex- 

 pulsion of this mass. Walking exercise must occasionally be given. 

 If this treatment is faithfully carried out from the start the majority 

 of cases will terminate favorably. When relief is not obtained in- 

 flammation of the bowels may ensue and cause death. 



Constipation, or costiveness. — This is often witnessed in the horse, 

 and particularly in the foal. Many colts die every year from failure 

 on the part of the attendaiit to note the condition of the bowels soon 

 after birth. Whenever the foal fails to pass any feces, and in partic- 

 ular if it presents any signs of colicky pains — straining, etc. — imme- 

 diate attention must be given it. As a rule, it will be necessary only 

 to give a few injections of soapy water in the rectum and to introduce 

 the finger through the anus to break down any hardened mass of 

 dung found there. If this is not effective a purgative must be given. 

 Oils are the best for these young animals, and preferably castor oil, 

 giving from 2 to 4 ounces. The foal should always get the* first of 

 the mother's milk, which, for a few days, possesses decidedly laxative 

 properties. If a mare, while suckling, is taking laudanum, morphin, 

 atropia, or similar medicines, the foal during this time should be fed 

 by hand and the mare milked upon the ground. Constipation in 

 adult horses is often the result of long feeding on dry, innutritious 

 feed, deficiency of intestinal secretions, scanty water supply, or lack 

 of exercise. If the case is not complicated with colicky symptoms a 

 change to light, sloppy diet, linseed gruel or tea, with plenty of exer- 

 cise, is all that is required. If colic exists a cathartic is needed. In 

 very many instances the constipated condition of the bowels is due 

 to lack of intestinal secretions, and when so caused may be treated 

 by giving fluid extract of belladonna in 2-dram doses three times a 

 day and handful doses of Epsom salt daily in the feed. It is always 

 best, when possible, to overcome this trouble by a change of diet 

 rather than by the use of medicines. For the relief of constipation 

 such succulent feeds as roots, grass, or green forage are recommended. 

 Silage, however, should be fed sparingly, and not at all unless it is 

 in the very best condition. Moldy silage may cause fatal disease. 



Foreign bodies {ealculi, stones) in the stomach. — ^There are prob- 

 ably but few symptoms exhibited by the horse that will lead one to 

 suspect the presence of gastric calculi, and possibly none by which we 

 can unmistakably assert their presence. They have been found most 

 frequently in millers' horses fed sweepings from the mills. A de- 



