The most frequent CAUSE is sudden cold upon a warm, perspiring skin, or even a cold drink when very hot; over-fed horses, subjected to long and severe exercise, are most liable to it; stones and hard dung in the bowels; and especially colic badly treated, and drugged with all sorts of medicines, often terminates in Inflammation of the Bowels.
The symptoms of this disease are very like those of colic, only in the latter disease there are intervals of rest, or cessation of pain, and there is little or no alteration of the pulse; whilst in inflammation of the bowels there is no abatement of the pain, but the animal is continually lying down and rolling about, getting up and then dropping down suddenly. The pulse is very much quickened, small and hard; the artery appears like a cord, under the finger; the extremities are cold; the animal frequently turns his head toward the flanks; the abdomen is hard and tender; as the disease advances, the breathing becomes accelerated, the eyes staring and wild, the pulse imperceptible at the jaw; a cold sweat breaks out over the whole body. This state continues for some time, when suddenly the animal appears to get better, he gets up, and stands quietly; the eyes lose their lustre, the extremities become deadly cold, there is a tremulous agitation of the muscles, particularly the fore part of the body; after a short time, he begins to totter and stagger about, and soon falls down headlong, and dies.
Symptoms.—The disease begins, in most cases, with dullness, heavy eyes, staring coat, restlessness and moving about from one place to another; the pulse and breathing are both quickened; no appetite. Some cases begin with colic, others with shivering. The animal paws, kicks, and rolls about in the most violent manner at first; often strains and tries to pass water, but either none or only a few drops come away; the pain is most intense, and does not cease for an instant, and is increased by pressure and moving about; the belly is hot, tucked up, and hard, unless there is wind in the bowels, when it will be more or less swelled; the bowels are very costive, though small, hard, dry masses may be passed, except in cases where the internal surface, or mucous membrane, is the seat of disease, in which case small, purging, bloody stools are frequently passed; the legs and ears are intensely cold; the pulse small and hard; and sweat in the latter stages breaks out all over. Still further on, the pulse becomes smaller and weaker, until it can scarcely be felt; the breathing is quick, irregular, and attended with sighs; the skin is covered with a cold, clammy sweat; the eyes seem to have lost their power of seeing, he becomes very weak; and trembles all over; convulsions come on, and death soon follows.
Consider carefully the distinctions between Colic and inflammation, as given under the article on Colic.
Treatment.—As early as possible, give fifteen drops of A.A., and repeat the doses every half hour. After the animal is somewhat relieved, continue the medicine at longer intervals. If not better in two hours, the F.F., may be alternated with the A.A., at the intervals mentioned. This will be especially indicated if there should be frequent purging small stools, blood-stained or otherwise. After the inflammatory symptoms have subsided, give a dose or two of the J.K.
N. B.—As constipation exists in inflammation of the bowels, many persons suppose it to be the cause of the disease, and resort to the most desperate means to remove it. This is all wrong. Remove the inflammation, and the bowels will then move of themselves, while the balls and cathartics administered during the inflammation will only increase the difficulty.
Peritonitis, Inflammation of the Peritoneum
The delicate membrane lining the abdominal cavity, and covering the parts within it, is termed the peritoneum, and is occasionally the subject of inflammation.
It not unfrequently follows the gelding of the horse, especially if he is too soon afterwards turned out to grass, or during cold and wet weather. Exposure to cold standing in draughts of air, or drinking cold water may produce it; and it follows a stab in the belly or a rupture of some of the viscera, and the flow of the contents into the abdomen.
Symptoms.—A few days after cutting the colt, the yard and sheath will be found swelled and painful; little or no matter flows from the cut; the animal is restless and uneasy; the body is painful when pressed against, and is swelled with watery fluid; the legs are cold; the bowels are bound; the skin is rough and dry; no food is eaten; if loose, he rests his hind quarters on the side of the stall; the swelling in the breast, legs and sheath increases; the breathing becomes quick and painful; the pulse hard, quick, and by degrees small and weak. These gradually become worse, until the animal dies.