222 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



easily digested and nutritious nature, as good food plays an 

 important part in the treatment of sick animals, building up the 

 weakened and wasted tissues. Turning out to pasture is an 

 excellent means of providing a change in the ration and will 

 certainly bring gratifying results. 



Green foods are valuable because they are easily digested, 

 contain much water, and are rich in mineral matter. They 

 keep the bowels loose and the liver at its work of eliminating 

 wastes from the body. When the liver fails to function properly 

 the whole system becomes clogged and sluggish and generally 

 out of order. 



Food should be offered sick animals only in small quantities, 

 as the patient will usually have a poor appetite, and any portion 

 left over soon becomes tainted with stable odors, which render 

 it unpalatable. When such food is left before the patient for 

 any length of time it will have a tendency to take away all 

 appetite. The best way to increase the appetite of a horse is to 

 change the character of his feed frequently. Food that is wet, 

 such as bran mashes or steamed oats, will soon sour in warm 

 weather, or will get cold in the winter. Colic and diarrhea 

 often result when food of this character is eaten. Feed which 

 has been slobbered on undergoes fermentation very rapidly. 

 As has been said this is due to the action of the saliva upon the 

 food constituents. Food should not be forced upon a sick animal, 

 for we should remember that the state of his appetite is the best 

 guide by which we may know whether his system requires food. 

 Appetite is regulated largely by the physiologic needs of the 

 body. 



Common salt, according to Kellner, exerts a physiologic action 

 in digestion by serving as a spice or condiment which stimulates 

 the appetite and increases the palatability of the food. It also 

 stimulates the secretion of the digestive juices, increases and 

 hastens their action, and prevents digestive disturbances. As 

 a complement to the food of the sick it is of prime importance. 



(5) Water should be kept constantly within reach of a sick animal 

 for there is nothing which is more beneficial and conducive to 

 health. It should be pure and fresh. The animal will often 

 rinse out his mouth, and if suffering from a feverish condition 

 will find much relief even if not thirsty. When allowed to 

 stand about for any length of time water becomes flat. Drinking- 



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