116 MANUAL OF FABM ANIMALS 



cially unwholesome stables. Apparent causes are the non- 

 removal of the fecal matter; also anything that very materially 

 affects the health or condition of the mare, such as becoming 

 fretful when kept away from the colt for a time soon after partu- 

 rition. The mare becomes feverish, the quality of her milk 

 materially altered, and the foal coming to her hungry, gorges 

 itself with this changed milk which induces indigestion and 

 diarrhea. Very rich foods may stimulate the flow to such an 

 extent that if the foal is permitted to take it all, digestive dis- 

 orders and diarrhea will result. The same often happens in 

 early spring when the mare is pasturing on a rank growth of 

 succulent grass. Confinement in close buildings is objectionable 

 to mare and foal alike. In both it induces a weakened condition, 

 and leaves the system an easy prey to disease. A cold damp 

 bed, exposure to cold rain storms, and the like are to be avoided. 

 A passing shower may do no harm, even if cold, but a prolonged 

 exposure to rain with a low temperature is hard on a new-born 

 foal and often leads to disorders of the digestive organs and fatal 

 diarrhea. 



The best treatment is to avoid conditions likely to cause such 

 disorders. If the dam is properly fed and exercised, there is 

 very little danger. One should attend the foal at the first 

 appearance of digestive disorders and remove the cause ; even 

 then it may be too late. If it is due to an oversupply of rich 

 milk, the dam should be milked in part by hand. One should 

 be cautioned against giving an astringent with a view to cutting 

 off the discharge. The best policy in all such cases is to expel 

 the disturber with a laxative, such as two ounces of castor oil, 

 and later when the irritant has been expelled, to check the dis- 

 charge by a weak solution of gum arable, of slippery elm, or by 

 well-boiled linseed tea or starch, or the like. But even this road 

 is beset by many a difficulty. 



Navel infection. — Another disease common to young foals 

 is the so-called navel infection, or joint disease. It should be 



