34 NAVIN ON THE HOESE. 



rapidly than in inflammation of the mucous lining of the bow- 

 els. Careful attention to the symptoms may show which it is. 

 However, the treatment for both diseases is nearly the same, 

 and the mistaking the one for the other would not be likely to 

 prove serious. 



Inflammation of the stomach and bowels is attended with 

 much greater disturbance of other parts of the system than 

 either of the other two diseases under consideration. 



Causes. — The causes which may give rise to an attack of in- 

 flammation of the mucous or inner coat of the bowels are 

 quite numerous. Too powerful physicking has already been re- 

 ferred to as causing it. It is also one of the results of colic, 

 .and the certain effect of those strange tanglings of the guts, 

 <lescribed under the head of knotting of the bowels. Any thing 

 that will give rise to irritation of the bowels may cause jt: 

 •exposure to cold or wet, as standing in the rain, or being ex- 

 posed to a heavy draught, after being worked hard. A change 

 from dry to green feed, or unwholesome food, may cause it. 

 •Costiveness will often be found to be the cause. The contents 

 of the bowels becoming dried up, necessarily produces irritation, 

 .and this may result in inflammation. Over-fatigue may cause it. 



Treatment. — Few diseases require more prompt or more en- 

 'Crgetic treatment than inflammation of the bowels. It runs 

 its course very rapidly, and, without proper treatment, proves 

 Tery fatal. It requires the most energetic measures we can 

 make use of for its removal ; and as bleeding is, beyond doubt, 

 the most prompt in overcoming inflammation of any means we 

 possess, it is especially called for in this disease. As soon, 

 then, as the case is found to be one of inflammation of the 

 bowels, bleed from six to ten quarts, or until the pulse becomes 

 full and round. At any time afterward, during the treatment 

 'Of the case, if the inflammation should be observed to be com- 

 ing up again, another bleeding may be necessary; but the 

 •desired effect on the pulse may not require so much blood to 

 ^e taken as before. 



