16 . DISEASES OF. THE HORSE. 
avoided. If the horse can have a loose box or paddock, it is the best, 
as he will then take what exercise he wants. If the patient is ex- 
tremely violent, it is often wise to restrain him by leading him with a 
halter, since rupture of the stomach or displacement of the bowels 
may result and complicate the trouble. ' 
INDIGESTION OR GASTROINTESTINAL CATARRH. 
From the facts that they merge insensibly into each other and 
usually occur simultaneously, there is ample reason for considering 
these conditions together. This condition may be acute—that is, of 
sudden onset—or it may be chronic. The changes of structure pro- 
duced by this disease occur in the mucous membrane lining of the 
stomach and intestines. This membrane becomes red from increased 
blood supply or from hemorrhage into it, is swollen, and is covered 
by a coating of slimy mucus. In some especially severe cases the mem- 
brane is destroyed in spots, causing the appearance of ulcers or of 
erosions.” 
-The causes of indigestion are numerous, but nearly all are the 
result of errors in feeding. 
Some horses are naturally endowed with weak digestive organs, 
and such are predisposed to this condition. Anything that irritates 
the stomach or intestines may cause this disease. Feeds that the 
animal is unaccustomed to, sudden changes of diet, imperfectly cured, 
unripe, or damaged feeds are all fruitful causes, and so are worms. 
In suckling foals this condition may come from some disease of the 
dam that renders her milk indigestible, or from overexertion or over- 
heating of the mare. Another prolific cause is bad teeth, making 
mastication imperfect, and thus causing the horse to swallow his feed 
in a condition unfit for the action of the digestive juices. Working a 
horse too soon or too hard after feeding may cause either colic or 
indigestion. Any condition that reduces the vitality, such as disease, 
overwork, poor feed, or lack of care, may directly bring on indiges- 
tion by weakening the digestive organs. 
Symptoms.—Indigestion is characterized by irregular appetite; 
refusing all feed at times, and at others eating ravenously; the appe- 
tite is not only irregular, but is often depraved; there is a disposition 
on the part of the horse to eat unusual substances, such as wood, 
soiled bedding, or even his own feces; the bowels are irregular to-day, 
loose and bad smelling, to-morrow bound; whole grain is often passed 
in the feces, and the hay passed in balls or impacted masses, under- 
going but little change; the horse frequently passes considerable 
quantities of sour-smelling wind. The animal loses flesh, the skin 
presents a hard, dry appearance and seems very tight (hide-bound). 
If the stomach is very seriously involved, the horse may yawn by 
