DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 221 



more serious forms, the faeces are acrid, and there is more 

 or less abdominal pain, which may be very severe. If the 

 disease continues, the foal ceases to suck, and loses flesh 

 rapidly. 



After death there may be no discoverable lesions, or 

 there may be an accumulation of dark serous fluid in the 

 abdomen, as well as several patches of ecchymosis on the 

 peritoneal surface of the bowel. The mucous membrane of 

 the bowel is infiltrated, and covered with a catarrhal dis- 

 charge, while in some places superficial ulcerations, owing 

 to the removal of the epithelium, may be found. 



In some instances the liver is pale and bloodless. 



Prognosis in Diarrhoea, — The prognosis is usually very 

 favourable, but in infantile diarrhoea a fatal termination 

 is not uncommon. 



Treatment of Diarrhoea in Adults. — We should, in the 

 first place, endeavour to ascertain the cause of the diarrhoea. 

 If it proceed from irregularities in the feeding or in the 

 work, these should be immediately rectified. In most in- 

 stances medicine is not required unless the diarrhoea is 

 excessive, or the pain and general disturbance very great. 

 No cold water should be allowed ; the animal should be 

 kept quiet and warmly clad. The diet should be easily 

 digestible, and linseed gruel or other demulcent drinks may 

 be allowed. When the pain is very great, tincture of opium, 

 spirits of chloroform in moderate doses, with a drachm of 

 camphor, may be given three times daily in flour gruel. 

 When prostration is very marked, and the pain severe, tinc- 

 ture of opium, sulphuric ether, and spirits of chloroform 

 may be given three times daily, with a moderate amount of 

 alcoholic stimulant, as port wine or brandy. AYoollen 

 cloths wrung out from warm water may be applied fre- 

 quently to the abdomen, and stimulating liniments rubbed 

 in in the intervals between the applications. When the 



