CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES. 83 



DYSENTERY. 



What is the synonym ? 



Bloody flux. 



Define dysentery. 



It may be defined to be a specific infectious inflammation of 

 the large intestines, usually proceeding to ulceration, characterized 

 by frequent stools, colicl-y pains, and tenesmus. 



Give the aetiology. 



This disease is not common in the horse, being more frequently 

 seen in cattle. 



It is more apt to occur in hot climates, but may be seen in any 

 location. 



Although probably of specific origin, this fact is hard to es- 

 tablish clinically in every case. 



Animals kept in damp stables, low and marshy pastures, in 

 localities where there is decomposition of vegetable or animal 

 matter, the drinking of stagnant water, eating unwholesome food, 

 the sudden chilling of the skin, stopping perspiration, together with 

 indigestion, are among the causes. 



Some pathogenetic poison, the nature of which is not under- 

 stood, is probably the essential cause. 



Dysentery in the human subject is one of the four greatest 

 epidemics of the world. 



What is the pathology ? 



The mucous membrane of the large bowels, and sometimes the 

 ileum, becomes of a red-brown color, especially that of the colon, 

 where the disease is most extensive. 



The contents of the intestines are liquid, consisting of serosity, 

 shreds of mucous membrane, and tenacious, blood-stained mucus. 



There is congestion and infiltration of the mucous membrane, 

 and little vesicles may be seen here and there, which rupture, leav- 

 ing ulcers, which are characteristic of dysentery. These ulcerations 

 dip down and may penetrate the muscular coat and afiiect the peri- 

 toneum. 



Give the symptoms of dysentery. 



It usually commences with symptoms of dyspepsia, the animal 

 becoming dull, legs together under the body, back somewhat arched. 



