222 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



cessation coinciding with the simultaneous removal of 

 what I regarded as the causal factors in operation. 



' The first was the system of watering. All the horses 

 were watered when they returned from work at night, 

 and before feeding. From then until they turned out 

 to work on the following morning, they had no chance 

 of a drink of any kind. This was altered by giving the 

 horses the offer of a drink after feeding at night, and 

 before feeding in the morning, in addition to the existing 

 arrangements. 



' Secondly, molassine meal was mixed with the food 

 when prepared. Food sufficient to serve three to seven 

 days was prepared at one time. I think the damp molas- 

 sine lying in the dry feed for three to seven days injuriously 

 affected it. This was altered by feeding the molassine 

 with each meal instead of mixing it and allowing it to 

 lie for days with the dry food.' 



Here, it seems, we have two definite charges laid — 

 one against the system of watering, the other against the 

 manner of preparation of the food. With the alteration 

 of both of these the colic cases in this stable ceased. 



Now, we cannot lay the blame definitely to either the 

 one or the other of these two likely causes. We can, 

 however, consider the build and function of the organs 

 concerned, and afterwards comment. 



In order to do this adequately I have obtained the 

 kind permission of Major-General F. Smith to quote 

 freely from his 'Manual of Physiology.' The next few 

 paragraphs, therefore, together with the original illus- 

 trations, are taken bodily from that work. In connection 

 with the condition we are now discussing they should be 

 read most carefully, for they serve in large measure to 

 explain what we now know of the history of these cases 

 of csecal impaction. 



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