68 DISEASES OF: THE HORSE, ~ 
_ Rupture of the stomach—This mostly occurs as a result of en- 
gorged or tympanitic stomach (engorgement colic) and from the 
horse violently throwing himself when so affected. It may result 
from disease of the coats of the stomach, gastritis, stones (calculi), 
tumors, or anything that closes the opening of the stomach into the 
intestines, and very violent pulling or jumping immediately after the 
animal has eaten heartily of bulky feed. These or similar causes may 
Jead to this accident. 
» The symptoms of rupture of the stomach are not constant or 
always reliable. Always make inquiry as to what and how much the 
horse has been fed at the last meal. Vomiting may precede rupture 
of this organ, as stated above. This accident appears to be most 
liable to occur in heavy draft horses. A prominent symptom ob- 
served ‘(though it may also occur in diaphragmatic hernia) is when 
the horse, if possible, gets the front feet on higher ground than the 
hind ones or sits on his haunches, like a dog. This position affords 
relief to some extent, and it will be maintained for several minutes; 
it is also quickly regained when the horse has changed it for some 
other. Colicky symptoms, of course, are present; which vary much 
and present no diagnostic value. As the case progresses the horse 
will often stretch forward the fore legs, lean backward and down- 
ward until the belly nearly touches the ground, and then rise up 
again with a groan, after which the fluid from his nostrils is issued 
in increased quantity. The pulse is fast and weak, breathing hur- 
ried, body bathed in a clammy sweat, limbs tremble violently, the 
horse reels or staggers from side to side, and death quickly ends thé 
scene. 
In the absence of any pathognomonic symptom we must consider 
the history of the case; the symptoms of colic that cease suddenly 
and are succeeded by cold sweats and tremors; the pulse quick and 
small and thready, growing weak and. more frequent, and at length 
Funning down and becoming altogether imperceptible; looking back 
at the flank and groaning; sometimes crouching with the hind ‘quar- 
ters; with or without eructation and vomiting. 
There is no treatment that can be of any use whatever. Could we 
be sure of our diagnosis it would be better to destroy the animal at 
once. Since, however, there is always the possibility of a mistake in 
diagonsis, we may give powdered opium in 1-dram doses every two 
or three hours, with the object of keeping the stomach as quiet as 
- possible. 
Ozstruction coric.—The stomach or bowels may be obstructed 
by accumulations of partly digested feed (fecal matter), by foreign 
bodies, by displacements, by paralysis, or by abnormal growths. 
Impaction of the large intestines——This is a very common bowel 
trouble and one which, if nct promptly recognized and properly 
