GASTRITIS-INFLAMMATION OF WOMB.

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GASTRITIS.

This disease is very rare, excepting in stables where grooms think fit to poison their masters' horses with arsenic. When gastritis or acute inflammation of the stomach takes place, the existence of poison in the system may safely be apprehended. The existence of arsenic may be discovered by purging of a bloody nature, and the flow of saliva from the mouth, which take place.

The only treatment likely to be of any avail, is the frequent and liberal use of thin starch both as a drench and clyster, which may tend to allay the violent inflammation of the mucous membrane.

INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB.

This is one of the most dangerous diseases with which the horse-breeder has to contend. It attacks mares usually immediately after foaling, and is marked by the following symptoms-delirium, acute fever, laborious breathing, great prostration of strength, as well as by the flow of a dark and very offensive fluid from the fissure. The treatment must be very active or it will be of no avail. Blisters must be applied to the loins, the milk veins must be bled freely, and a ball composed of digitalis, opium, and calomel, of each one drachm, administered every two hours until the bowels operate freely.

I have taken as much as eight or nine quarts of

blood from the milk veins in this disease with most

satisfactory results.

The best injection into the womb is a solution of chloride of zinc of about the strength of a scruple to a pint of water. The food should consist of linseed and bran mashes, and an unlimited supply of water until the disease has abated, after which give tonics and a liberal diet.

This disease is fatal in at least seven cases out of ten, and therefore the most active measures should be taken immediately. It is frequently occasioned by ignorant violence during foaling, as well as by the mare being in too high a condition.

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS.

This is a very painful disease, and is commonly attended with extreme danger; it can easily be distinguished from inflammation of the bladder by the pain occasioned by touching the loins with the hand. The general symptoms are the passing of dark-coloured urine in small quantities, with excessive pain and groaning, the pulse small and quick, with a straddling position of his hind limbs. Apply mustard poultices, and give a drench of linseed oil, and an ounce of opium every four hours. The horse should be bled freely at His food should consist of linseed gruel for some

once.

days, or other glutinous food.

This disease is produced most frequently by the ignorant use of diuretic balls, improper food-such as

INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.

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mowburnt hay or oats-exposure to cold, heavy horsemen addicted to short stirrups, and a violent strain, all of which causes are easily avoided, save the last.

INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.

This disease, like the previous one, is often caused by the improper use of diuretic balls, cantharides, &c. The symptoms are the same in every particular as in inflammation of the kidneys, save the extreme tenderness on the loins. However, if there be any doubt on the subject, the hand after being thoroughly greased should be passed up the anus until the bladder is felt, when, if the mischief lies there, it will be very hot, tender, and contracted; but if not, it will not be more tender than might be expected from the existence of inflammation in contiguous parts. The treatment, however, will be the same as that recommended for the preceding disease in every particular.

SPASM OF THE BLADDER.

In this disease, caused no doubt by irritation, the neck of the bladder is closed, and consequently the urine is retained. The only treatment of any avail will be that of evacuation of the contents of the bladder by means of a catheter, which should be directed by a competent person. It will be well at the same time to give opium in one-and-a-half-drachm doses, every morning and evening, until the urine is passed readily.

INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES.

This disease, generally known by the name of enteritis,' consists of inflammation of the membrane covering the viscera.

The symptoms are-alternate shivering and sweating fits, pulse very quick and small, the lining of the eye-lids and nose of a black-red colour, kicking at the belly, a fixed glazy eye, frequent attacks of delirium, together with tenderness of the belly. The only treatment of any avail will be prompt and free bleeding, and frequent drenches of linseed oil and opium; mustard poultices should be plastered all over the abdomen, with frequent injections of thin starch.

If, however, the horse be really labouring under this disease, there is not much hope of recovery; for mortification will soon set in and put an end to the poor brute's sufferings. It may readily be distinguished from colic, by the exquisite tenderness of the belly.

WORMS.

The existence of worms is marked by a rough coat lying in the wrong direction, a very irregular craving for food-sometimes accompanied by costiveness, and at others by scouring-with extreme itching of the anus; the belly also becomes pendulous and distended, attended with extreme leanness of the ribs.

The treatment of worms is fortunately now not confined to mechanically irritating substances, such as

pounded glass, pewter, brass and iron, which frequently caused a state of irritation not easily allayed.

Emetic tartar given in two drachm doses daily, for a week, in bran mashes, seldom fails to weaken the worms so much that they can be carried off by means a purging ball composed of six drachms of aloes, two of ginger, and two of emetic tartar. I have never known this treatment fail. Much caution must be used in administering emetic tartar. Its action should be care-. fully noted, and immediately any irritation is apparent the quantity must be lessened, or its use prohibited entirely. This, however, may be taken as a rule, that when any irritation is caused by the use of emetic tartar, it may safely be concluded that the object for which it was given has been effected.