ACUTE ENTERITIS. 205 



becomes aggravated. Constipation is more marked, and the faeces passed 

 are in small masses, covered with layers of epithelium, or sometimes 

 streaked with blood. In other cases the diarrhoea becomes exaggerated 

 and assumes a mucous or sero-mucous character ; the temperature rises, 

 and death results from exhaustion and infection, micro-organisms passing 

 from the lumen of the intestine through its walls and invading the 

 general circulation. 



Lesions. To study the lesions to advantage the autopsy must be 

 performed as soon as possible after death. 



In slight cases they consist of trifling generalised congestion of the 

 intestinal mucous membrane. The points most affected show infiltra- 

 tion of the submucous coat, and sometimes of the muscular coat; the 

 wall of the intestine is double its normal thickness, but the thickening 

 never equals that seen in cases of rapidly fatal intestinal congestion. 



At a more advanced stage the mucous membrane clearly is inflamed, 

 its surface is covered with a fibrous exudate, and the glandular and 

 epithelial cells proliferate, assume the embryonic form, and produce the 

 new tissue which one recognises under the form of false membranes. 



The false membranes are generally but slightly adherent, and are 

 readily expelled. 



In other cases, however, they adhere firmly, and when detached by 

 the friction caused by movement of semi-digested food through the bowel, 

 produce rupture of capillary vessels ; this explains the presence of blood 

 streaks in the faeces. 



The diagnosis is relatively easy, especially at the onset, on account 

 of the special character of the faeces and the sensitiveness of the right 

 flank. 



The prognosis is seldom grave. If the enteritis is taken at the 

 beginning, recovery is usual ; but if the animal has been ill for eight 

 or ten days and is exhausted, and if fever and diarrhoea are intense, the 

 prognosis should be guarded. 



The treatment is that of all acute inflammatory diseases. Mustard 

 plasters may be applied to the chest and abdomen and left in position 

 for some hours, or may be repeated. Some practitioners prefer hot 

 blankets or dry friction, or, again, rubbing with essence of turpentine, 

 but this substance should be spread over large surfaces, in order to 

 prevent injury to the skin. Bleeding is only justifiable in plethdric 

 animals, and should never be exhaustive. 



To relieve the digestive symptoms purgatives are at first given, even 

 though diarrhoea is marked from the onset ; for purgatives still consti- 

 tute the best intestinal antiseptics, because they get rid of the intestinal 

 contents and microbes. The diet should be carefully selected, and may 

 consist of gruel, mucilaginous materials, linseed tea, cooked roots, etc. 



