DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OBGANS 303 



in the cecum or colon, due to failure of the muscles in the walls 

 of the bowel to act. This leads to obstruction or stoppage of 

 the bowels. Soon the added weight, together with the distention 

 produced by the gases, causes overstretching of the bowel. The 

 result is interference with its normal movements. Putrefaction 

 of the retained fecal material sets in and there are produced 

 poisonous substances which are rapidly absorbed. A typical 

 intestinal auto-intoxication occurs, which may end in death at 

 the end of a week or more. In some cases a small amount of 

 putrid bowel contents heavily coated with mucus will be passed 

 during this time. 



Treatment. — For these cases use 1 quart of raw Unseed oil 

 mixed with )£ ounce of fluidextract of nux vomica as one dose. 

 The oil acts as a lubricating agent and physic, while the nux 

 vomica adds tone to the muscular part of the intestinal walls and 

 facilitates bowel movements. Fortunately the liver assists in 

 neutralizing the poisons which would cause death promptly if 

 all that formed were retained. Preventive treatment consists 

 in providing feed that will keep the bowels loose. Alfalfa or 

 clover hay and ensilage are the best roughages for this purpose; 

 oil meal and bran the best concentrates. 



DIARRHEA 



Diarrhea is the too rapid passage of food materials and liquids 

 through the bowels. Purging, scouring, and dysentery are other 

 terms for this complaint. It is nature's method of getting rid 

 of irritating substances in the bowels. 



Causes. — Improper mastication of food from bad or irregular 

 teeth, or from greedy feeding is a common cause. Indigestion, 

 unwholesome food, intestinal worms, and bacterial infection 

 may also cause diarrhea. It is often brought on by putting 

 horses to work too soon after feeding them. 



Symptoms. — The bowel discharges are frequent, thin, watery, 

 and have a distinctly bad odor. Affected calves belch consider- 

 able gas. Colicky pains are frequently present. In long con- 

 tinued cases the patient gets thin, weak, and dull. 



Treatment. — By removing the cause and correcting the ration 

 diarrhea may often be stopped without the aid of medicines. 

 Horses that bolt their food in an imperfectly masticated condi- 



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