also as in horses in
limestone districts, where the water is hard. When the calculi attain a
sufficient size and become lodged or blocked in some part of the
intestines, they cause obstruction, inflammation of the bowels, colicky
symptoms, and death. There are no certain signs or symptoms that reveal
them. Recurring colics of the type of impaction colic, but more severe,
may lead one to suspect the existence of this condition. Examination
through the rectum may reveal the calculus.

The symptoms will be those of obstruction of the bowels. Upon
post-mortem examinations these stones will be discovered mostly in the
large bowels; the intestines will be inflamed or gangrenous about the
point of obstruction. Sometimes calculi have been expelled by the action
of a physic, or they may be removed by the hand when found to occupy the
rectum.

As in concretions of the stomach, but little can be done in the way of
treatment more than to overcome spasm (if any exists), and to give
physics with the hope of dislodging the stone or stones and carrying
them on and outward.

_Intussusception, or invagination._--This is the slipping of a portion
of the intestine into another portion immediately adjoining, like a
partially turned glove finger. This may occur at any part of the bowels,
but is most frequent in the small guts. The invaginated portion may be
slight--2 or 3 inches only--or extensive, measuring as many feet. In
intussusception, the inturned bowel is in the direction of the anus.
There are adhesions of the intestines at this point, congestion,
inflammation, or even gangrene. This accident is most liable to occur in
horses that are suffering from spasm of the bowel, or in those in which
a small portion of the gut is paralyzed. The natural wormlike or
ringlike contraction of the gut favors the passage of the contracted or
paralyzed portion into that immediately behind it. It may occur during
the existence of almost any abdominal trouble, as diarrhea, inflammation
of the bowels, or from injuries, exposure to cold, etc. A fall or
leaping may give the initial maldirection. Foals are most likely to be
thus afflicted.

Unless the invaginated portion of the gut becomes strangulated, probably
no symptoms except constipation will be appreciable. Strangulation of
the bowel may take place suddenly, and the horse die within 24 hours, or
it may occur after several days--a week even--and death then follow.
There are no symptoms positively