154 
THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 
Causes. — As a general thing diarrhoea is the result of 
improper feeding. A too sudden change from light food of 
poor quality to heavy rich food often accounts for it. The 
feeding of roots — turnips or carrots — especially if frozen, the 
drinking of stagnant water which acts as a blood poison, an 
overdose of physic (superpurgation) are some of the many 
causes which might often be avoided. Sometimes severe 
cases are the result of sand being taken into the stomach be- 
cause of feeding in pasture where the grass is short, sand 
having an irritating efifect. ■ Excitement is a common cause, 
especially with race horses or excitable road horses. 
Symptoms. — Diarrhoea is very easily detected, there being 
a passage of much watery looking manure. An exammation 
of the pulse shows it to be but little affected at first, but if 
the disease is allowed to run on it becomes quick and weak. 
Fie has a poor appetite and soon becomes gaunt and weak 
looking. In time the legs become colder than usual, and be- 
cause of the irritation and spasms of the bowels there will 
be slight pain. The appearance of pain is a serious symptom, 
indicating that the congested condition of the bowels unless 
relieved may terminate in inflammation. 
Treatment. — In many cases it will be only necessary to 
change the food, clothe the body according to the season, 
and give a little medicine. Ascertain as nearly as possible 
the cause. If it be irritation — the result of eating sand or 
some other indigestible substance — give the following: 
Raw Linseed Oil ••••K pint. 
Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 
Ginger 1 dessertspoonful. 
Bicarbonate of Soda 1 dessertspoonful. 
Mix and give as a drench. This will assist nature to get 
rid of that which is the cause of the trouble. If the presence 
of sand or other irritable substances is not suspected, give: 
Tincture of Catechu 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 
Ginger 1 dessertspoonful. 
Bicarbonate of Soda 1 dessertspoonful. 
Mix in a pint of ordinary coffee and give as a dench. 
Repeat every four or five hours until relieved. It is quite 
probable that the patient will exhibit signs of being thirsty. 
Give him lukewarm water containing a handful of flour fre- 
quently but in small quantities. Feed dry feed and keep him 
as quiet as possible. In severe cases it is well to apply a 
mustard plaster over the bowels and a bag containing a half 
pail of hot salt over the kidneys. 
