Causes.—Greatly conjectural. Prolonged colic may end in it. Constipation may induce it.
Symptoms.—Dullness heaviness; picks the food; shivers repeatedly; rolling; plunging; kicking, but more gently than in spasmodic colic; quickened breathing; hot, dry mouth; wiry pulse. Pressure to the abdomen gives pain. Remove your coat; insert the arm up the anus; if the intestines are very hot, all is confirmed.
Treatment.—Extract one quart of blood from the jugular, and inject into the vein one pint of water at a blood heat. Give aconite in powder, half a drachm; sulphuric ether, three ounces; laudanum, three ounces; extract of belladonna, one drachm, (rubbed down in cold water, one pint and a half.) As the pulse changes, withdraw the aconite; as the pain subsides, discontinue the belladonna. The other ingredients may be diminished as the horse appears to be more comfortable. Should the pain linger after the administration of the eighth drink, apply an ammoniacal blister. Sprinkle on the tongue, if any symptoms declare the disease vanquished but not fled, every second hour, calomel, half a drachm; opium, one drachm. Feed very carefully upon recovery, avoiding all things purgative or harsh to the bowels.
EXCORIATED ANGLES OF THE MOUTH.
Cause.—Abuse of the reins.
Treatment.—Apply the following lotion to the part: Chloride of zinc, two scruples; essence of anise seed, two drachms; water, two pints.
FALSE QUARTER.
Cause.—Injury to the coronet, producing an absence of the secreting coronet of the crust from the hoof.
Symptoms.—No lameness, but weakness of the foot. The soft horn of the laminae, being exposed, is apt to crack. Bleeding ensues. Sometimes granulations sprout when the pain and the lameness are most acute.