DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 65 



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The term diarrhoea is used to designate too frequent operations of the 

 bowels, the discharges being abnormally changed in character. It may 

 occur as an independent affection, or as a symptom incident to other 

 diseases. 



It is often associated with inflammation of the large and small intes- 

 tines, and with disorders where changes in structure exist. It appears in 

 functional derangements, such as indigestion and colic. 



Causation. —The exciting causes of diarrhoea are extremely numerous. 

 When the affection is purely functional, the mucous membrane being in 

 a normal state, among the causes are included indigestible substances, 

 decayed food, foreign bodies, retained excretions, poisons, and certain 

 drugs used as remedies in disease. Worms lodged in the lower bowel may 

 accumulate and diarrhoea follow. 



Another common cause is the influence of cold, intestinal irritation 

 resulting from the cooled blood of the surface being driven inward. Inju- 

 ries such as a kick or a blow in the abdomen, may induce the disorder. 

 Diarrhoea is often produced in puppies by feeding milk when they are 

 unaccustomed to it. On the other hand, after giving it for a time it may 

 be found to produce constipation. Radical changes in feeding, from coarse 

 food of difficult digestion to a more nutritious and concentrated diet, will 

 loosen the bowels. 



In diarrhoea associated with other diseases, the intestinal mucous mem- 

 brane becomes inflamed from causes attributable to the associated disor- 

 der, as in affections of the liver. According as the exciting cause of diar- 

 rhoea is of a temporary, frequently recurring, or permanent character, the 

 affection runs an acute or a chronic course. 



Symptoms . — The frequency of the discharges will in a measure indicate 

 the severity of the disease. More important than the number is the char- 

 acter of the stools. Blood is not an uncommon mixture. It may be due to 

 a congested state of the membrane lining the lower bowel, to piles, to a 

 sharp bone lodged in the rectum, or possibly worms. The presence of 

 mucus in small amounts has no significance ; in large quantities an inflam- 

 mation of the rectum is to be inferred. 



In simple uncomplicated diarrhoea, unless of long continuance the gen- 

 eral health suffers but little. 



Treatment. —Diarrhoea in many instances is nature's effort to throw 

 off the cause of irritation, and regulating the diet will usually suffice to 

 overcome the trouble. If the attack is severe, nature should be imitated 

 and a dose of castor oil given, to effectually remove the contents of the 

 intestines, preventing their continued passage over the irritated surfaces. 



