DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE AND URINARY ORGANS.
Diarrhœa and Dysentery.—The first (diarrhœa, or mere looseness) is, in the horse, seldom more than a temporary debility. In many cases it is an effort of nature to relieve herself, and will probably effect its own cure.
The symptoms require no definition, except that it may be remarked that they are almost invariably unaccompanied by pain or any other inconvenience. Rest, and the use of more astringent food, and leaving a piece of chalk in the manger (which, with horses subject to diarrhœa, should never be absent), will in all probability arrest the attack, which may, to a certain extent, proceed from a predisposition to acidity.
Animals disposed to this disease should be fed on a drier description of food.
Dysentery is, on the contrary, a highly dangerous illness, accompanied with pain.
It mostly commences with excessive purgation, the evacuations being mere foul water in appearance, and stinking. The beast will drink greedily; the pulse is weak; great anguish of body perceptible, the perspiration breaking out in patches.
On the first appearance of such dangerous symptoms, procure the assistance of a professional man; but in the interval the following drench may be given:—
| Laudanum, 1 oz. | } Mix. |
| Powdered chalk, ½ oz. |
or,