Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1895-01-10
FEEDING A SICK HORSE.
What Arc the Best Articles Of Diet to Give
Him?

F. T. Mcmahon. veterinary surgeon
10 the Chicago fire department. oommu'
nicates an interesting article ON the
treatment of sick horses. After specify
ing the principal substances from which
to select articles of diet for the sick
horse, such as bran, carrots, oatmeal,
linseed, etc., the writer continues:
"Bran stands decidedly foremost as
the food most generally in use for the
invalid horse. 1t acts as laxative, is
frequently tempting to the appetite and
easy of digestion. There is no part of
the general treatment more universal
than offering this substance as change
of food. Is the horse very weary and
his powers weakened in consequence?
We induce him to take warm bran
mash, which comfortably distends the
stomach and satisfies any craving for
food, thereby enabling him to lie down
and rest his enfeebled system until re-
pose restores its wonted vigor. Does he
show slight symptoms Of cold or fever?
A warm bran mash is convenient plan
of steaming and consequently of sooth-
ing the irritable mucous membranes of
the air passages 1t is substitute for
the more stimulating diet he is accus-
toned to and gently promotes the activ-
ity of the digestive apparatus; it is also
a convenient medium for the partaking
of certain simple remedies. A lower
diet than that with which he is INDUCED
when in full work is judicious and bran
is selected.
SIS it necessary to administer purga-
tive medicine? A bran mash renders the
bowels more susceptible of its action,
and smaller portion of the drug is
therefore REQUIRED to produce the de-
sired effect, and there is, at the same
time, less risk of painful spasms accom-
panying it's operation. Bran mashes may
be given hot or cold-cold are perhaps
quite as grateful to the horse-but the
nibbling of the hot mash in catarrhal
affections is particularly beneficial, from
the necessary inhalation Of the steam.
''Of all the roots with which horses
are tempted, the carrot, as rule, is the
favorite and perhaps the most benefi-
cial. 1t is said to be somewhat diuretic
in it's effects and to exercise salubri-
GUS influence on the skin. Certain it is
that a sick horse may be coaxed into
eating carrots when disinclined to par
take of other nourishment, with the
greatest beneficial results. For the ailing
horse, then, carrots are most valuable
as an article of diet, and few may be
given with advantage to horse in a
healthy condition.
Oatmeal is extremely nutritious, and
as food for the convalescent horse is
most valuable. The bruising process the
grain has undergone breaks the husk
and renders it more easily acted upon by
the digestive organs. 1t is usually given
in the form of cruel, and in that form
it is one of the most essential articles of
diet for the infirmary. 1t is also ready
mode of supplying the tired, thirsty
horse with nourishment after exertion,
when he returns to the stable.
"Linseed is decidedly to be included
in the sick diet roll. 1t is nutritious,
and from its oleaginous nature sooth-
ing to the frequently irritable mucous
membrane Of the alimentary canal. and
hence is particularly to be recommended
in the treatment Of sore threats. Nor is
it's bland effect local only. Its more gen
eral influence is particularly observable
in affections Of the kidneys 1t may
either be boiled, SO as to form when cool
gelatinous mass, and then mixed with
bran, Or the liquid, after boiling, may
be offered as a drink.
"Grass, hay tea, ETC., are also very
useful in the treatment of disease and
should be used in connection with other
remedies. -