266 The Diseases of Animals 
Indigestion may occur either in a mild or an acute 
form. In the mild form the horse refuses his usual 
food, appears sluggish and often hes down, but does 
not seem to suffer acute pain. Frequently, the horse 
will paw the ground and Jook around toward his flank. 
For mild cases but little medicinal treatment is 
necessary. Give a light, laxative diet, and allow the 
digestive system to rest and recuperate for a few days. 
Bran mashes, fresh grass, ete., are usually sufficient. 
Two-ounce doses of Jamaica ginger in a pint of mod- 
erately hot water, given as a drench three times daily, is 
excellent. If the horse is out of condition, the follow- 
ing tonic “condition” powders may be given in the 
food when he begins to eat: 
Sulfate of iron. ..... ie ae ‘ . 2 ounces 
Nitrate of potash (saltpeter) . 4 2 ounces 
Gentian root (pulverized) . BOER 2 ounces 
Nux vomica seed (pulverized) ...... 1 ounce 
Ginger root (pulverized) BAe wee ene dad 24s 1 ounce 
These are to be thoroughly pulverized and mixed, 
and a heaping teaspoonful of the mixture given in the 
food three times daily. In case a horse will not eat 
the powder, omit the gentian root and add linseed meal. 
The causes of acute indigestion are the same as for 
the mild form; the symptoms are similar, but more 
severe. The horse suffers much pain, lies down fre- 
quently, paws, looks toward his flank and often stands 
stretched out, as if to pass urine. This position of 
straining, so frequent in indigestion, leads an ordinary 
observer to think that there is some difficulty with the 
urinary passage,—a rare occurrence in horses. In in- 
