DYSENTERY 291 



exhausting character, as bad and insufficient food, and exposure to weather 

 without preparation, and it may also arise as a sequel to diarrhoea and as 

 the result of some poisonous matter in the blood. The presence of para- 

 sites in unusual numbers, and drinking-water in which decaying animal 

 matter is present, are said also to be exciting causes. 



Symptoms. — In some cases profuse evacuations of a fluid consistence 

 mark the onset of the disease, others may exhibit preliminary fever and 

 excessive prostration. Elevation of temperature and rigors may be 

 observed in the commencement, or be continuous in the course of the 

 disease, accompanied by a small and irritable pulse. Abdominal pain 



Fig. 104.— Dysentery 



prior to, or immediately following on the evacuation of fasces, is a common 

 symptom, with hidebound, general marasmus, or wasting and loss of- 

 appetite. In the fasces, though fluid, may be found hardened masses as 

 indicating quite a different condition in some parts of the canal from others, 

 while casts of mucus, sometimes mistaken for worms, are commingled with 

 jelly-like material and bloody shreds of membrane. A particularly offensive 

 odour characterizes the evacuations. In fatal cases there is an increase of 

 abdominal pain, thirst, exhaustion, and prolonged fever. Only in the 

 stage of collapse is the temperature lowered, and it may then fall below 

 normal. Dysentery, unlike other bowel affections, does not usually carry 

 off its victims in a few hours, or days, but may continue for weeks. In 



