DISEASES ar THE DIGESTIVE OBGANS. 93 



numerous small sores thus caused allow bacteria to get into' the circu- 

 lation, sometimes resulting in localized abscesses or in septic arthritis 

 or joint disease. 



The disease due to these worms is quite common. The worms enter 

 the body as immature forms in the spring, when the animal is turned 

 out on pasture. The first symptoms show in November or December, 

 the disease being in a latent stage during the development of the 

 worms. The first symptoms are diarrhea, loss of appetite, and ema- 

 ciation. The animal becomes anemic. Secondary symptoms are 

 edema and such complications as joint infection, colic due to embo- 

 lism, and accidents from falls, hemorrhage from ruptured aneurisms, 

 or perforation at the site of abscess. The animal may die, recover, 

 or become a chronic sufferer, the internal injuries failing to niake a 

 satisfactory recovery even with the removal of the worms in chronic 

 cases. 



Treatment calls for the expulsion of the adult worms from the in- 

 testine, the development of the body resistance to repair the damage 

 wrought by the developing worms, and the combating of complica- 

 tions. For the expulsion of the worms the use of carbon bisulphid 

 in gelatin capsules, 2 to 5 grams, according to the size of the patient, 

 for five days, followed by magnesium sulphate the sixth day, has 

 been recommended. Owing to the difficulty and danger in the ad- 

 ministration of carbon bisulphid in capsule, it is advisable to call in 

 a veterinarian. Tonic treatment consists in the subcutaneous admin- 

 istration of artificial serum and caffein. The various complications 

 of bacterial infection, colic, heart depression, etc., call for the atten- 

 tion of a veterinarian. Preventive measures consist in avoiding re- 

 infection with worms so far as possible by using dry upland pasture 

 in preference to low, wet land, and by rotating pastures or rotation 

 of the stock on a given pasture. Horses may be alternated with 

 cattle, sheep, or hogs to advantage, so far as parasites are concerned. 

 Another feature, always of importance, is the provision of a pure, 

 potable drinking water. 



BoTs {GastrofMlus spp.). — Bots (PI. VI) are quite common in the 

 stomach and upper part of the small intestine of the horse any- 

 where in the United States, one kind being occasionally found in the 

 rectum. They attach to that portion of the mucous lining of the 

 stomach nearest the esophagus or sometimes around the pyloric open- 

 ing to the intestine or even in the upper intestine; and undoubtedly 

 interfere with the proper functioning of the stomach and the health 

 of the animal to a certain extent. The symptoms are rather vague 

 as a rule, but the general result is a condition of unthrif tiness. 



A treatment which has been found effective consists in feeding 

 lightly on the day preceding treatment, withholding food in the 

 evening and giving an ounce of Barbados aloes or a pint of linseed 



