Diseases of the Digestive System. 193 



addition to the above, with more or less ulceration of 

 the bowels, as seen near the anus, the opening of which 

 is relaxed and dilated: 



Treatment. — The patient demands the most careful 

 nursing and strict deaiiliness, with freedom from ex- 

 posure to cold, otherwise acute cases have the tendency 

 to assume the chronic form. A suitable dose of the 

 castor-oil mixture {see Aperients) should be given in the 

 first instance, which by removal of the original cause 

 determines the recovery of the patient. If, however, the 

 case assumes the chronic stage, one of the anodyne 

 formulae must be adopted, with astringent diet, as the 

 symptoms indicate. Simple glycerine, vaseline, or 

 *'Sanitas" jelly, especially the latter, are eminently use- 

 ful in soothing the anus and bowel, when smeared over 

 it. When liver disorder is evident, calomel or podo- 

 phyllin will be of service. Young puppies often suffer 

 from a form of diarrhoea while deriving their sustenance 

 from the mother. In that case the latter should receive 

 a mild purgative ; afterwards lime-water to drink, or a 

 solution of carbonate of soda (5 to 10 grains to each ounce 

 of water) mixed with the food. The disease is also a 

 common associate with the early stages of distemper, the 

 probable cause being the ingestion of unsuitable food 

 and filth, or inhalation of the odours arising from drains, 

 accumulations of manure, &c. Worms are a common 

 cause.^ The usual remedy is half a dose of castor oil, 

 with one to three drops of laudanum. Chronic forms 

 degenerate into dysentery. 



Dysentery consists of inflammation of the mucous 

 membrane of the large bowels as a rule, followed by 

 ulceration and discharge of blood. The evacuations 

 contain no fceces, except at intervals, when solitary, dark, 

 small, and offensive lumps are voided. The causes are 

 those common to diarrhoea largely aggravated. 



Symptoms. — In addition to the above, the animal 

 suffers from abdominal pain, with rapidly forming de- 

 bility and emaciation, also emanations of sickly odours 

 from thd skin and mouth. Shreds of the intestinal 

 mucous membrane pass with blood among the offensive 



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