ediately after the animal has eaten
heartily of bulky feed. These or similar causes may lead this accident.

The symptoms of rupture of the stomach are not constant or always
reliable. Always make inquiry as to what and how much the horse has been
fed at the last meal. Vomiting may precede rupture of this organ, as
stated above. This accident appears to be most liable to occur in heavy
draft horses. A prominent symptom observed (though it may also occur in
diaphragmatic hernia) is when the horse, if possible, gets the front
feet on higher ground than the hind ones or sits on his haunches, like a
dog. This position affords relief to some extent, and it will be
maintained for several minutes; it is also quickly regained when the
horse has changed it for some other. Colicky symptoms, of course, are
present, which vary much and present no diagnostic value. As the case
progresses the horse will often stretch forward the fore legs, lean
backward and downward until the belly nearly touches the ground, and
then rise up again with a groan, after which the fluid from his nostrils
is issued in increased quantity. The pulse is fast and weak, breathing
hurried, body bathed in a clammy sweat, limbs tremble violently, the
horse reels or staggers from side to side, and death quickly ends the
scene.

In the absence of any pathognomonic symptom we must consider the history
of the case; the symptoms of colic that cease suddenly and are succeeded
by cold sweats and tremors; the pulse quick and small and thready,
growing weak and more frequent, and at length running down and becoming
altogether imperceptible; looking back at the flank and groaning;
sometimes crouching with the hind quarters; with or without eructation
and vomiting.

There is no treatment that can be of any use whatever. Could we be sure
of our diagnosis it would be better to destroy the animal at once.
Since, however, there is always the possibility of a mistake in
diagnosis, we may give powdered opium in 1-dram doses every two or three
hours, with the object of keeping the stomach as quiet as possible.

OBSTRUCTION COLIC.--The stomach or bowels may be obstructed by
accumulations of partly digested feed (fecal matter), by foreign bodies,
by displacements, by paralysis, or by abnormal growths.

_Impaction of the large intestines._--This is a very common bowel
trouble and one which, if not promptly recognized and properly treated,
results in death. It is caused by overfe