DIARRHCEA. 413 



day or two the pulse becomes quickened and weakened, the 

 ears, extremities, and body become colder than in health, 

 and after awhile the animal may stagger in his gait. Exces- 

 sive thirst is manifested, and anorexia, either partial or com- 

 plete, soon occurs. If not checked it may terminate in 

 enteritis, or death from exhaustion. 



Treatment — If possible, the practitioner should ascertain 

 the cause of the trouble. If due to the presence of an 

 irritant, it is not safe to check it suddenl}^, but in a case 

 characterized by debility and weakness of an alarming 

 character, it should be checked as soon as possible, re<"-ard- 

 less as to whether the whole of the irritant substance has 

 been expelled or a portion is yet retained. If weakness be 

 not too great, and it is suspected that the diarrhoea is a 

 result of the presence of some irritant substance in the 

 intestinal canal, it is good practice to administer a mild 

 laxative, as ol. lini., ^vi. — 5viii., and in case much pain is 

 manifested, opiates in the usual sized doses may be added to 

 the draught. If weakness be observable, a good diffusible 

 stimulant, as spts. feth. nitrici, may be given with advan- 

 tage. The ordinary colic draught will usually fulfil all the 

 indications. Counter-irritation to the abdomen may be 

 necessary in some cases. In cattle, magnesia sulphat. 

 should be given in preference to any other laxative. In 

 cases where great weakness is noticed, and it is evident 

 that it would not be safe to administer a laxative, the dis- 

 charge must be checked as quickly as is consistent with 

 safety. For this purpose the practitioner may administer 

 opii pulv. 5i., or opii tr. 31. — 5ii., preferably in doses of ,5i., 

 to be repeated at suitable intervals until the desired effect 

 is produced. Catechu and powdered chalk are good also, 

 and may be given in the ordinary quantities. An excellent 

 draught is the following : opii pulv., camphorte, rhei radix 

 pulv. aa 51., in a pint of ale, twice a day, or oftener, 



