CHAPTER III. 
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS 
AND LIVER. 
General remarks on the Anatomy and Phystology of the digestive organs of thz 
horse. Acute and Chronic Indigestion, or Stomach-Staggers.. Rupture 
of the Stomach. Colic. Lampas. Inflammation of the Mouth or Stomatit?s, 
contagious and non-contagtous. Inflammation of the Tongue. Crib-biting 
and Wind-Sucking. Inflammation of the Bowels. Constipation and 
Obstruction of the Bowels. Diarrhea. Rupture of the Intestines. 
Dysentery. Déseases of the Liver. Congestion and Inflammation of the 
Liver. 
GENERAL REMARKS ON THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 
ALTHOUGH science has been revolutionised in our day, and the most 
wonderful discoveries, before not even dreamt of, have been made in 
physiology, chemistry, physics, agriculture, and medicine; and although 
veterinary science, no less than other branches of knowledge, has made very 
rapid progress during the past twenty years; yet, nevertheless, diseases 
caused by the grossest errors in feeding are as common as ever. We 
have already spoken of the diseases caused by the wilful mistakes which are 
being constantly made in feeding man’s most faithful servant, the noble. 
creature to which he owes a heavy debt of obligation. We have now to 
speak in particular of the diseases of the stomach, and these are almost 
invariably due to avoidable sources of disorder. We hear a great deal now- 
a-days regarding the ills man inflicts on himself by his neglect of the 
ordinary laws of physiology, dietetics, and hygiene. It is very essential also 
to attend to the laws of dieting of horses. They are not numerous, and are 
soon learnt, being, as a rule, pretty well understood by grooms who have 
learnt their business well. Our men should be up in the morning at 5-30 or 
6a.m., to feed the horses under their charge, and give them time to digest 
their food. We scarcely need mention, seeing that nearly one half of all the 
maladies of the horse are caused by dietetic errors, how necessary it is to 
bestow the greatest care and attention upon this most important subject. 
