368 DYSENTERY. 



DYSENTERY. 



Dysentery in the horse is not recognised by some vete- 

 rinarians, both among the French and Enghsh : but if a 

 catarrhal inflammation of the mucous surfaces of the in- 

 testines, which under certain circumstances, seasons, and 

 situations assumes epidemical and also endemical characters, 

 can lay claim to the appellation, then has the horse dysen- 

 tery. Others consider it in the light of a diarrhoea ; but its 

 characters are distinct from a simple increase of the peri- 

 staltic motion. It consists in an inflammation of the 

 mucous linings of the intestines, attended with a thicken- 

 ing of this coat, and an increased quantity of their natural 

 mucous secretions ; and as the disease advances, of a morbid 

 alteration of that secretion. This increased secretion being 

 frequently discharged, was mistaken for adeps, and was re- 

 garded as a further proof that the fat of the body was at 

 these times in a state of general solution, hence its name of 

 moulten grease. 



The symptoms that characterise dysentery as a primary 

 affection, are the frequent voiding of faecal discharges in 

 stringy portions, excessively shmy or loose, and foetid, with 

 considerable uneasiness from constant inclination to stool, 

 and perpetual straining after the motion has passed. The 

 mucus is mixed in general with the faeces, which are not 

 retained, but voided involuntarily. If the disease increase in 

 violence, membranous films, like sodden leather, are thrown 

 out ; while in very aggravated cases, the ruptured vessels 

 eject blood ; and now and then the intestines become 

 ulcerated. The pulse is variously affected : as, when the 

 inflammation is not intense, it is quickened, corded, and 

 hard, but weak and not wiry ; yet, when the case is very 

 intense, or it is about to degenerate into peritoneal inflam- 

 mation, as it sometimes does, the pulse becomes wdry and 

 oppressed. The mouth is always dry, the appetite lost, 

 the flanks heave, and there is usually much thirst. 



Causes. — It is usually dependent on an inflammatory 

 habit, acted upon by some immediate excitement ; and, as 

 such, it is more often observed in the young and robust, 

 from a sudden check to the perspiration, a change of food, 

 cold, fatigue, &c. : acrid substances, as mineral poisons, 



