DISEASES OF THE HORSE 171 



to remove the object by getting it up if possible; if not, by 

 pushing it down. If the object is in the beginning of the gullet, 

 it can be worked up. To do this it is necessary to use a mouth- 

 gag in the horse's mouth to protect the hand, then as some one 

 presses upward and forward on the object from the outside of 

 the gullet, pass the hand into the mouth and if possible, with- 

 draw the offending object. It may require some effort to work 

 the object up in this way, but it should be done if possible. If 

 all attempts to work the object up fail, then it should be pushed 

 down with a probang, — a smooth, flexible tube or rod. A piece 

 of three-fourth inch rubber hose is good. 



Ailments of the stomach and intestines 



Because of the small size of the horse's stomach, it is often 

 difficult to distinguish between the diseases of the stomach and 

 intestines. While the stomach and intestines of the horse are 

 subject to a great many ailments, we shall discuss only the 

 more important, which are indigestion, colic, diarrhea, and con- 

 stipation. 



Indigestion is one of the most common ailments of the diges- 

 tive organs among horses. It may be due to both the stomach 

 and small intestines failing to digest the food properly. Some 

 of the more important causes are the feeding of indigestible food, 

 improper feeding, bad teeth, which prevent proper mastication 

 of food, hard work immediately after feeding, and any cause 

 that profoundly disturbs the system. It may occur in either 

 mild or acute form. If the attack is mild, the animal refuses 

 his food, lies down, and immediately after gets up, looks toward 

 the flanks, and frequently paws the ground. In such cases the 

 treatment is not difficult. Give the stomach and intestines a 

 few days' rest in which to recuperate, feeding only a light laxa- 

 tive diet, such as bran mashes and fresh grass. Drench the 

 horse with two ounces of Jamaica ginger, dissolved in a pint of 

 fairly hot water, three times daily. In acute indigestion the 



