162 
THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 
20. Dropsy of the Belly. 
This is a collection of a watery fluid in the belly around 
the bowels, generally resulting from inflammation of the 
membrane mentioned in the preceding section. 
Symptoms. — There is extreme weakness; pulse, quick 
and weak; muscles of the body, soft and flabby; belly, ap- 
parently swollen and pressure upon it with the hand indi- 
cates the presence of the watery fluid mentioned. The bowels 
are constipated but in some cases there is a fairly good 
appetite. 
Treatment. — Give remedies that tend to absorb the fluid. 
Encourage the appetite by giving plenty of good food. Give 
Iodide of Potassium % pound. 
Ground Gentian Root pound. 
Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre J4 pound. 
Mix thoroughly together and give a dessertspoonful three 
times a day. Exercise the patient a little each day. It is 
recommended in severe cases to tap . the lower part of the 
belly with a trocar and cannula. This operation, however, 
does not prove very successful with the horse. 
21. The Eating of Too Much Wheat. 
This is very dangerous, especially if the horse be not 
used to getting wheat and eats a large quantity of it. The 
wheat swells and at the same time causes gas to form in the 
stomach. After a time it changes to a tough doughlike mass, 
causing acute indigestion, which often terminates in acute 
founder. 
Treatment. — As soon as it is ascertained that a quantity 
of wheat has been eaten the horse should not be allowed 
any water or food for twenty-four hours. Keep him quiet 
during this time, after which he may be given plenty of luke- 
warm water and soft feed. If acute indigestion follow the 
eating of wheat give treatment as outlined under that dis- 
ease ; if it result in founder then treat as we have outlined in 
the section on that disease. 
