174 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



predisposed to diarrhea, especially when driven on the road. 

 Since diarrhea is caused by an irritant, the treatment is first 

 to locate the cause and remove it. The discharge must not be 

 checked too suddenly. A half teacupful of castor oil, combined 

 with an ounce of laudanum and given as a drench with a little 

 linseed gruel, is excellent. Oak-bark tea, made by steeping the 

 inner bark of white oak, is good for persistent cases. A teacup- 

 ful of this tea combined with an ounce of laudanum should be 

 given as a drench twice daily. Horses that are subject to 

 diarrhea while on the road should be watered and fed as long 

 as possible before put to work. Water sparingly immediately 

 before and during the drive. 



Constipation is the opposite to diarrhea. The discharge is 

 not frequent, the matter hard and dry and often passed with 

 much effort. The causes are rather numerous and varied. 

 Constipation may be due to bad food, lack of exercise, insuffi- 

 cient water, improper feeding, and is often due to other dis- 

 eases. The treatment is to reach the cause and remove it, 

 then feed laxative foods, such as thin bran mashes, linseed 

 gruels, and if possible, green grass. Injections of warm water 

 and glycerine are good to empty the bowels. If the ailment 

 persists, give small doses of castor oil or raw linseed oil, say 

 one pint, and if this is not effective, repeat. This is more satis- 

 factory than one large dose. 



DISEASES OP THE RESPIBATOBT ORGANS 



The stable is the source of many respiratory ailments. Poorly 

 ventilated, poorly lighted, poorly drained, and poorly kept 

 stables are perhaps the source of more ailments among horses 

 than all other agents combined. Pure air, light, drjTiess, and 

 cleanliness are essentials to the horse's well being. These can 

 be procured with small cost and should not be neglected in the 

 arrangement of a stable in which to care for the horse. 



Catarrh is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the 



