46 NON-SPECIFIC OR GENERAL DISEASES 



Later the intestinal peristalsis increases and a fonl-smelling 

 diarrhoea sets in that is often mixed with hlood. In the toxic 

 form there may he marked nervons symptoms. Spasms, convul- 

 sions, stupefaction and coma may be manifested. 



In the mild form recovery usually occurs within a few days. 

 The more serious forms of the disease do not terminate so favor- 

 ably. In the toxic form death usually occurs within a few days. 



The large majority of cases of enteritis can be prevented by 

 practising the necessary preventive measures. It is very neces- 

 sary that animals exposed to cold be provided with dry sleeping 

 quarters that are free from draughts. Where a number of ani- 

 mals are fed a heavy grain ration, or fed from the same trough, 

 they should be kept under close observation. This is necessary 

 in order to detect cases of indigestion or overfeeding early, and 

 resort to the necessary lines of treatment, so as to prevent further 

 irritation to the intestinal tract. Live stock should not be forced 

 to drink water that is ice-cold. Low, poorly-drained land is not 

 a safe pasture for cattle and horses. Spoiled roots, grains and 

 silage, mouldy, dirty roughage and decomposed slops should not 

 be fed to live stock. 



The treatment consists in withholding all feed and giving the 

 animal comfortable, quiet quarters — warm quarters and pro- 

 tection from the cold, ]3i"<Jviding the animal with a heavy straw 

 bed, or with blankets if necessary, if the weather is cold. From 

 five to forty grains of calomel may be given, depending upon the 

 size of the animal and the frequency of the dose, two or three 

 times a day. In case the animal is suffering severe pain, mor- 

 phine given hypodermically may be indicated. In the mild form 

 and at the very beginning of the attack, linseed oil may be 

 administered to the larger animals. The dose is about one quart. 

 The smaller animals may be given castor oil in from one- to four- 

 ounce doses. 



When convalescence is reached the animal should be fed 



