150 
ON ENTEUITIS. 
absent. In one case of inflammation of the bowels the mare was 
heavy with foal, and ill most violently for twenty hours; ten 
quarts of blood were taken from her; her sides blistered, and a 
good deal of medicine given to her. She carried her foal, and 
did well; but before she got better she nearly lost the use of 
her hind quarters, especially on one side, and would sit on her 
haunches. She then voided a great quantity of water; the weak¬ 
ness then seemed to disappear, and she soon got better. 
In one case of inflammation of the small intestines the horse 
sat on his haunches for the first six hours, with very little inter¬ 
mission ; and when he died about about one yard and a half of 
gut was found to be inflamed, and lay, in a great measure, 
against the diaphragm. 
Now, in these cases it will be seen, that there was rupture of 
the diaphragm, and no sitting on the haunches; and also, that 
there was sitting on the haunches and no ruptured diaphragm. 
One can well imagine that, in the one case, sitting on the 
haunches may have given relief in taking off the pressure that 
existed between the inflamed bowel and inflamed diaphragm ; 
for it is a curious fact, that often, when the bowel is inflamed, 
the peritoneal covering of the diaphragm contiguous to it is more 
or or less so. I believe, also, that when the horse lies on his 
back he obtains relief thereby, the expansion of the abdomen be¬ 
ing more freely allowed, and the pressure that may occasionally 
exist being taken off. I recollect a horse rolling on his back, and 
lying in that position against the wall for upwards of an hour ; 
he then tumbled over on his side, got up, and was well. 
On the point, whether there is more pain in the large intestines 
than in the smaller ones, it is difficult to give an opinion; but I 
think there is little difference. 
It was observed by the President, that enteritis was sometimes 
caused by over-exertion ; and I think there can be no doubt 
about it. How often are there cases brought to us out of the 
field, from the thrashing-machine, and other laborious work, that 
shew inflammation or great irritation, and in all probability from 
such a cause. I saw a case of an in-foal mare, that died of 
enteritis, and I thought then, and think so still, in consequence 
of great labour in drawing manure for potatoes. I also can call 
to mind two fatal cases of in-calf cows, that had the same com¬ 
plaint from having travelled a long journey. Also several cases 
where horses had been hard ridden, and the attack coming on 
as soon as they were brought into the stable. I think it is easily 
accounted for in these cases, even upon the common principle 
of pressure; or if I may so say, of friction, by the continual 
swaying of the belly and its contents, and the sympathy, as 
