60 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



halter, since rupture of the stomach or displacement of the bowels 

 may result and complicate the trouble. 



(5) Worm colic. — Parasites of many kinds reside in the intestinal 

 canal of horses. There are three kinds of tapeworms, one long round- 

 worm, and several kinds of smaller roundworms. Besides these are 

 the bot-fly grubs and larvae. The intestinal worm most commonly 

 seen is the long roundworm, known as Ascaris equorum. They are 

 white or reddish in color and measure from 4 to 12 inches in length. 

 In thickness they vary from the size of a rye straw to that of a lady's 

 little finger, being thickest at the middle and tapering at both ends. 

 They are found singly or in groups or masses, and infest chiefly the 

 small intestines. (See PI. III.) 



Of the smaller roundworms, there may be mentioned Spiroptera 

 microstoma, which causes ulcers in the stomach; GylicKnostomv/m, 

 tetracanthuTn, Strongylus equinus, and Strongylus vulgaris, which 

 live in the large intestines. The larvae of the last named burrow in 

 the walls of the great mesenteric artery, causing aneurisms. 



The tapeworms, once seen, are easily recognized. They are white, 

 flat, thin, broad, and jointed. The head is found at the smaller end 

 of the worm. Tapeworms of the horse measure from a few inches to 

 a foot in length. 



Symptoms. — Symptoms of intestinal worms are not always ob- 

 served, even when many parasites are present. If the infestarion is 

 extreme, there may be slight colicky pains at times, or there may only 

 be switching of the tail, frequent passages of manure, and some slight 

 straining, itching of the anus, and rubbing of the tail or rump against 

 the stall or fences; the horse is in poor condition; does not shed his 

 coat; is hidebound and potbellied; the appetite is depraved, licking 

 the walls, biting the wooden work of the stalls, licking parts of his 

 body, eating earth, and being particularly fond of salt; the bowels 

 are irregular, constipation or diarrhea being noticed. Some place' 

 much dependence upon the symptom of itching of the upper lip, as 

 shown by the horse frequently turning it up and rubbing it upon the 

 wall or stalls. Others again declare that whenever we see the adher- 

 ence of a dried whitish substance about the anus, worms are present. 

 The one symptom, however, that we should always look for, and cer- 

 tainly the only one that may not deceive us, is seeing the worms or 

 their eggs (by the use of a microscope) in the dung. 



Treatment. — Remedies to destroy intestinal worms are much more 

 efficient if given after a long fast, and then the worm medicine must 

 be supplemented by a physic to carry out the worms. Among the 

 best worm medicines may be mentioned santonin, turpentine, tartar 

 emetic, creolin, infusion of tobacco, and bitter tonics. To destroy 

 tapeworms, areca nut, malefern, and pumpkin seeds are the best. If 

 a horse is passing the long roundworms, the plan of treatment is to 



