234 MANUAL OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



not of this marked character. The inflammation is usually 

 more patchy in distribution. Coagulable lymph is efifused 

 on the surface, and afterwards may be voided with the faeces. 

 The morbid appearances of enteritis caused by the inges- 

 tion of poisonous agents will be considered in a later 

 chapter. 



Inflammation of the intestines, which occurs in various 

 fevers, such as influenza, is of a different character from 

 the varieties already considered. In some instances the in- 

 flammation is attended in these cases with extensive sero- 

 hsemorrhagic effusion into the submucous coat, while in 

 others the exudation is a much less marked feature. 



Sometimes ulcerated patches are observed in the mucous 

 membrane, while in other cases the epithelial lining of the 

 intestine is eroded in large tracts, leaving a rough granular 

 surface. Not uncommonly dark gangrenous patches are 

 encountered here and there on the mucous membrane. 



Treatment. — We have said that in acute enteritis cessa- 

 tion of the peristaltic action results at the seat of the in- 

 flammation owing to paralysis of the muscular coats of the 

 intestine. It is thus manifest that cathartic medicines, if 

 administered, would cause increased peristaltic action and 

 secretion above the seat of disease. They would thus only 

 serve to further increase the irritation in the involved area 

 by the passage of the faeces through it, while they could 

 have no effect whatever on its functional activity, owing 

 to the paralysis of the walls. 



Furthermore, constipation, lasting a day or two, is not in 

 itself a matter of very serious importance. Cathartics are 

 therefore inadmissible in the treatment of this disease, 

 being only calculated to promote the morbid processes in 

 action. So far from our irritating the inflamed intestine 

 for the relief of constipation, we should use all the means 

 in our power to assuage pain and calm the movements of 



