INDIGESTION IN THE HORSE. 
471 
by the peristaltic motion of the bowels and in due time expelled 
by the anus. 
Having thus gone over, in a brief manner, the healthy func¬ 
tions of the alimentary canal, I am brought to the more immedi¬ 
ate subject of my paper, viz: indigestion in the horse. 
In order that digestion may be perfect and easy, it is requisite 
that the food should be in a state of minute division. A weak 
stomach acts slowly or not at all, on tough masses of solid food, 
and horses, like men, have weak and dyspeptic stomachs. The 
greedy feeder swallows a great part of his food half masticated; 
the nibbler frequently disturbs his stomach and bowels with gas. 
In the former, the delayed masses undergo spontaneous changes 
which are prompted by the mere warmth and moisture of the 
stomach, gases are extricated, acids are formed, and the half- 
digested mass passes undissolved into the duodenum, and becomes 
a source of irritation during the whole of its journey through the 
intestines. In the latter, (the nibbler) he disturbs his stomach and 
bowels so frequently with air, as to weaken the whole of the di¬ 
gestive powers, and to render him a dyspeptic subject. His 
rough coat, tight skin, and emaciated figure prove incontestibly 
that his food passes through the alimentary canal without under 
going due conversion, or without his deriving that benefit from 
it which the healthy animal does. 
I will endeavor to consider this subject under two heads, viz: 
the mild form unattended by acute pain, called chronic ; the 
other, which takes place suddenly, the symptoms of which are 
altogether more violent, and which is perilous to the existence of 
the animal, called acute. 
In a state of chronic indigestion, a horse does not thrive as 
others do, nor is he capable of doing the same amount of work; 
Ids appetite is fastidious—good, and even vivacious at one time, 
and only indifferent at another; it is sometimes depraved; he is 
fond of gnawing his rack and manger, is frequently found licking 
the walls, if any, or whitewash off the partitions. I have fre¬ 
quently seen horses eat any filth, and sometimes their own excre¬ 
ment. The skin from sympathy with the alimentary canal, has 
an unhealthy appearance; the coat stares, and the animal be- 
