DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 181 



back and remain so for a long time, then roll over, get up, and 

 commence to walk. 



They may walk this way for a day or two; the skin will be 

 rubbed olf their eyes, hips, and shoulders from the continual rub- 

 bing against the sides of the stall. 



How is the diagnosis made ? 



By the fever, by the continual pain, by the walking in a circle, 

 by the pulse, which is small, rapid, and compressible, by the absence 

 of the intestinal murmur on auscultation. 



What disease is enteritis commonly confounded with ? 



Colic. 



What is the differential diagnosis ? 



Ill colic there is an absence of fever, intermittent pain, the 

 animals throwing themselves down violently; while in enteritis 

 there is fever, continued pain, and the animals lie down carefully. 



Give the prognosis. 



The disease is quite fatal, although cases do recover. 



What is the treatment ? 



Keep the animals and the bowels quiet; opium, or, better, 

 morphine should be given till its action is obtained. Do not be 

 afraid to give 8 or 10 grains hypodermically, repeating at intervals 

 of three or four hours, giving belladonna in between the doses of 

 morphine. 



They used to bleed and use cathartics, but these are of no use. 

 Do not give injections. 



If diarrhcea is present, give gum opium, beginning with 

 drachm doses and increasing according to indications. 



Eemember that opium is a symptom medicine and should be 

 given until its action is reached. Chloral hydrate may be used in 

 the beginning, but not after the case is well advanced. 



Cannabis indica (fl. ext.) in two-drachm doses may be given 

 in place of opium or with it. 



The local treatment consists of hot blankets around the abdo- 

 men with a dry blanket over it. 



The diet should consist wholly of flaxseed-tea for about forty- 

 eight hours. After some six or eight hours, if they will not drink 

 the flaxseed-tea, it is well to drench them with some. After, say, 

 forty-eight hours, give oil. 



