Sometimes colts which are foaled early in the Spring, owing to the dry
food of the mare, will become so costive, that they will inevitably
die, if not relieved. As a general thing, this costiveness is confined
to the rectum.
To relieve the colt, it should be drenched with half a teacupful of
milk from the mare, which should contain Barbadoes Aloes, the size
of a grain of corn, pulverized, and about an equal amount of ginger,
every six hours; at the same time an injection should be prepared, as
follows: take one quart of wheat bran, and pour on it three quarts of
boiling water. When cold draw off the liquid, add one teacupful of
sweet milk, half a teacupful of molasses. Then by means of a syringe
inject this composition into the rectum. Or, if a syringe cannot be
procured, a bladder with a clean piece of elder tied in the neck of
it may be introduced into the rectum. In a few minutes after, a finger
should be inserted in the rectum, when a small ball of excrement may
be taken out, about the size of a hickory-nut. I have often taken out
twelve and fourteen such balls in the course of twenty minutes. After
this no more medicine is needed.