72 DISEASES OF .THE HORSE. -.- 
tion may be slight—2 or 3 inches only—or extensive, measuring as 
many feet. In intussusception, the inturned bowel is in the direction 
of the anus. There are adhesions of the intestines at this point, con- 
gestion, inflammation, or even gangrene. This accident is most liable 
to occur in horses that are suffering from spasm of the bowel, or in 
those in which a small portion of the gut is paralyzed. The natural 
wormlike or ringlike contraction of the gut favors the passage of 
the contracted or paralyzed portion into that immediately behind it. 
It may occur during the existence of almost any abdominal trouble, 
as diarrhea, inflammation of the bowels, or from injuries, exposure to 
eold, etc. A fall or leaping may give the initial maldirection. Foals 
are most likely to be thus afflicted. 
Unless the invaginated portion of the gut becomes strangulated, 
probably no symptoms except constipation will be appreciable. 
Strangulation of the bowel may take place suddenly, and the horse 
die within 24 hours, or it may occur after several days—a week 
even—and death then follow. There are no symptoms positively 
diagnostic.. Colicky pains, more or less severe and continuous, 
are observed, and at first there may be diarrhea, followed by con- 
stipation. Severe straining occurs in some instances of intussuscep- 
tion, and when this occurs it should receive due credit. As death 
approaches, the horse sweats profusely, sighs, presents an anxious 
countenance, the legs and ears become cold, and there is often free- 
dom from pain immediately before death. In some rare instances he 
recovers, even though the invaginated portion of the gut has become 
strangulated. In this case the imprisoned portion sloughs away so 
gradually that a union has taken place between the intestines at the 
point where one portion has slipped into that behind it. The piece 
sloughing off is found passed with the manure. Such cases are ex- 
ceedingly rare. Nonirritating laxatives, such as castor oil, sweet oil, 
or calomel in small doses, should be given: Soft feed and mucilagi- 
nous and nourishing drinks should be given during these attacks. 
E. Mayhew Michener has operated successfully on a foal with intus: 
susception by opening the abdomen and releasing the imprisoned gut.- 
Volvulus, gut tie, or twisting of the bowels——These are the terms 
applied to the bowels when twisted or knotted. This accident is 
rather a common one, and frequently results from the violent manner 
in which a horse throws himself about when attacked by spasmodic 
colic. The symptoms are the same as those of intussusception and 
obstructions of the bowels; the same directions as to treatment are 
‘therefore to be observed. / 
Paralysis of the intestine—This occurs in old, debilitated animals 
that have been fed on coarse, innutritious fodder. This produces 
a condition of dilatation so pronounced as to make it impossible for 
the intestine to advance its contents, and so obstruction results. The 
