62 DIARRIICEA, OR PURGING. 



quantities, and in a full stream ; it has sometimes an offensive smell, 

 and is occasionally bloody : but dysentery is often accompanied by a 

 peculiar straining; the dung is not so great in quantity, and it is 

 more offensive, and more highly charged with blood. 



The one is an accidental thing — not always to be considered as a 

 disease — and often ceasing of itself when the purpose for which na- 

 ture set it up, — the expulsion of some acrid or injurious matter from 

 the alimentary canal, — has been accomplished ; the other is an indi- 

 cation of an inflammatory affection of the larger intestines, difficult 

 to be controlled, often bidding defiance to all means, and speedily 

 destroying the animal. Diarrhoea occurs at all times of the year, and 

 particularly after a su<lden and great change of pasture ; dysentery is 

 a disease almost peculiar to the spring and autumn alone. It must 

 be confessed, however, that diarrhcea is sometimes the precursor of 

 dysentery in its worst form. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



DYSENTERY, SLIMY FLUX, OR SCOURING ROT. 



It has been just observed that this disease is most prevalent in the 

 spring and autumn, particularly in low, wet, and swampy situations. 

 It is one of the most fatal diseases to which oxen, and dairy cows in 

 particular, are subject, and destroys more than any other malady. 



It begins with frequent and painful efforts to expel the dung, which 

 is thin, slimy, stinking, and olive-coloured. The animal, as appears 

 from his restless state, suffers much pain, frequently lying down and 

 soon rising again. There is also a frequent rumbling noise in the 

 intestines. If the disease is neglected, or improperly treated, the 

 beast gradually gets thin, although for a while he retains his appetite, 

 and continues to ruminate; at length he evidently begins to get vreak, 

 rumination is imperfectly performed, and the food passes from him 

 half digested. As this disease is often the consequence of a previous 

 affection of tlie liver, considerable tenderness will be discovered on 

 the spine, a little beyond the shoulders. This is one of the methods, 

 and a very good one, by which the farmer endeavours to ascertain 

 whether a beast which he is ihinkinnr of purchasino" has the scourino- 

 rot. As the disease proceeds, the dewlap hangs down and has a 

 flabby appearance ; the dung runs off with a putrid and offensive 

 smell, and, as it falls upon the ground, rises up in bubbles, and a 

 membranous or skinny-like substance is often seen upon it : this is 

 occasioned by the natural mucus, which was given to defend the 

 bowels, being discharged. In proportion to the quantity of rnucus 

 that mingles with the faeces, the whole is rendered more adhesive, 

 and the bubbles are larger, and remain longer on the dunf. When 

 this IS the case the disease is always obstinate, and generally fatal. 



