DIGESTIVE DISORDERS 



DYSENTERY. 



As the name implies, this diseased state is characterised 

 by the discharge of blood, mingled with liquid evacuations. 

 Perhaps dysentery or bloody flux is most frequently met with 

 amongst horses whose surroundings are bad, in relation to 

 drainage, water supply, ventilation, etc., especially if such 

 should be suffering from diarrhoea, of which dysentery, in the 

 horse, may be but an aggravated form. It appears that the 

 large intestine, especially towards its termination (rectum) is 

 the chief seat of the ulcerous sores, from which the bloody 

 discharge is derived. 



Symptoms. — Diarrhoea, mingled with a jelly-hke blood 

 stained material, the discharging of which is accompanied by 

 straining, and pain in the belly. Each evacuation appears to 

 give little relief, the animal, apparently, being desirous of still 

 further emptying its bowels. The temperature may be raised 

 a little, and such symptoms as loss of appetite (either 

 partially or entirely), and thirst, are commonly present. 

 Weakness is progressive, and sometimes these symptoms con- 

 tinue for several weeks, until the animal is completely worn 

 out, or the inflammation extends along the bowels. 



Treatment. — Place the animal under the influence of the 

 best possible surroundings. Keep the body warm with woollen 

 rugs. Allow^ warm milk and wheaten gruel for food. Avoid 

 all solids, unless it be scalded oats, etc. Administer, internally, 

 twice daily, a ball composed as follows : — ■ 



Recipe. — Powdered ipecacuanha, i drachm ; powdered 

 acetate of lead, ^ drachm ; powdered opium, \ drachm ; linseed 

 meal, 6 drachms ; treacle, sufficient to make a ball. 



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