CHRONIC INDIGESTION.                           239

constipation treated by enemas or laxatives, or a dose of aloes and
calomel. Starvation for some hours, after which nothing but gruel
for twenty-four hours should be given, when if the dung is natural,
ordinary food may be allowed in small quantities and gradually
increased, carefully watching the excretions. In cases of disorders
of the stomach and intestines and also in debility, molassine meal
is worthy of a trial.

                    CHRONIC INDIGESTION.

Causes.—An acute attack which has remained uncured, want
of change of diet, highly stimulating food such as the free use of
mussauls, insufficient exercise, liver disease, intestinal parasites.
In young animals too early removal from the dam, or compelling the
clam to work shortly after the birth of the offspring, or allowing the
calf to suckle when the mother is heated, or at long or irregular
intervals. It is most usually met with in very young or very old
and debilitated animals.

Symptoms.—The animal is dull, appetite poor, thirst great, the
skin harsh and dry ; if worked, he is sluggish ; the membranes of the
mouth pale or yellowish in colour ; if the hand is placed in the
mouth, it will be found to be sticky. The condition of the bowels
vary : in some cases they are constipated and the dung is passed in
small quantities accompanied by a good deal of flatus, the faeces
being hard and dry and consisting mostly of unaltered fibre, or the
bowels may be relaxed, not always diarrhoea, but the evacuations
soft, and a quantity of fluid may be passed at the same time. If the
dung is examined, a good deal of grain may be found in an
unaltered state, clearly proving that digestion is not being properly
performed, or that the food itself is unsuitable and indigestible. The
dung often possesses a sour nasty smell, and varies in colour ; it
may be nearly black, clay blue, or of a peculiar greenish yellow.
Animals suffering from indigestion often have a tendency to eat
earth.

Treatment.—The teeth should be examined for irregularities and
the mouth for sores. The evacuations must be carefully examined,
as also the food and water-supply. A change of food should be
tried and an extra quantity of salt allowed. If the bowels are
constipated, a mild dose of physic should be given, such as epsom
salts, small doses of aloes and calomel repeated, or laxative powders
such as sulphate of soda 2 ounces, bicarbonate of soda 3 drachms.,
common salt 3 ounces twice a day, or better still, enemas
(Formulas 77 to 80). When diarrhoea is present, unless severe, it