416 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



is very profuse and of an alarming character; the strength 

 rapidly fails, the flanks present a hollow appearance, the 

 countenance becomes haggard, the coat dry and hot, and 

 death soon ensues. 



Treatment. — The treatment, to be successful, must be 

 prompt and energetic. A mild oleaginous laxative, as ol. 

 lini., 5vi. — 5viii., may be given, after which every endeavour 

 must be made to check the diarrhoea, and obviate the 

 danger of haemorrhage. For this purpose prepared chalk, 

 opium in its various preparations, diffusible stimulants — as 

 ale, beer, whisky, etc.— may be administered. Some prac- 

 titioners recommend the administration of ol. morrhuae in 

 small and repeated doses. Plumbi acet. is also recommended ; 

 it is a powerful astringent, and if given, it should be in 

 doses not to exceed grs. xl. three times daily. Catechu, 

 tannic acid. Hour, starch, etc., are all used in the treatment 

 of dysentery, but an astringent should never be given in 

 the very early stages of the disease. If the practitioner 

 succeeds in arresting the disease in its course, and the 

 patient begins to improve, tonics should be given — any of 

 the ordinary mineral or vegetable tonics will do ; the food 

 should be allowed in proper quantities, and should be of 

 the most nutritious character, the drinking water pure, and 

 the general health attended to. 



HERNIA. 



A hernia may be defined to be a protrusion of the 

 whole, or part of an organ, from its natural cavity. Abdo- 

 minal hernia is a general term meaning protrusion of some 

 of the intestines from withia the abdominal cavity, either 

 through a natural or an artificial opening — the latter form 

 being distinctively known as ventral hernia. The other 

 varieties of hernite are named from the parts in which they 



