Indigestion in Horses 265 
of oil or three-fourths to a pound of Epsom salts. 
These should be given as drenches. Enemas of warm 
soapy water, or warm water and glycerine, should be 
given, to empty the bowels. Other food should be 
withheld, unless hay or other rough material seems to be 
craved, when a little may be supplied. If the animal 
is thirsty, a small quantity of water can be given from 
time to time until the thirst is quenched. It is best 
not to give too large doses of purgatives, as severe 
purging often follows gorging; the animal being unable 
to digest it, the grain acts as an irritant to the bowels. 
After the acute symptoms have subsided and the diges- 
tive system is free from the excess of grain, the animal 
should be fed sparingly for several days, until the 
alimentary canal has recovered from the severe strain 
to which it has been subjected. 
INDIGESTION IN HORSES 
Indigestion is one of the most common diseases of 
the digestive system of the horse. It may be caused by 
the failure of both the stomach and the small intestine 
to properly digest the food. -This brings on abdominal 
pain and general illness that may last for some days. 
Indigestion may be induced by indigestible or bad 
food, by improper feeding, by diseases or injuries to the 
mouth or teeth which prevent the proper mastication 
of the food, by hard work or active exercise soon after 
feeding, or by insufficient exercise. It may also result 
from disease of any organs upon which the process of 
digestion depends. 
