sporadic Dysentery of the New-born 1025 



Decomposiug foods constitute a fertile source of diarrhea, and 

 the disease is consequently very largely seen among young ani- 

 mals which are artificially reared. Milk which has been allowed 

 to partially decompose, which has begun to ferment or sour, is 

 always dangerous as a food for the new-born ; but even more 

 dangerous is food which is contaminated with filth. In many 

 instances the vessels, from which artificially-reared animals are 

 fed, are exceedingly filthy and dirty, and contain particles of 

 milk which have been allowed to remain and decompose day after 

 day. 



Prognosis. The prognosis of sporadic dysentery in new-born 

 animals is usually favorable. In those animals in which the 

 disease appears very early, within two or three days after birth, 

 the prognosis is less favorable than in those in which the attack 

 is delayed until the animal has acquired some age and strength. 

 The prognosis necessarily depends somewhat upon the cause of 

 the disease, and the power of the veterinarian to overcome it. In 

 such a case as that to which we have above referred, in which 

 the animal had swallowed a large amount of straw which had 

 become molded into a tangled mass in the stomach and vr.s 

 neither removable nor digestible, the termination could not be 

 other than fatal. 



Handling. The prevention of sporadic dysentery in young 

 animals is highly important. The food of the new-born animal 

 should be as free as possible from pathogenic organisms, should 

 be allowed in proper amounts and at sufficiently frequent inter- 

 vals, and should be as readily digestible as circumstances will 

 permit. If the young animal is allowed to suck the mother, it 

 should be given such opportunity quite frequently ; at first the 

 young animal should be allowed to be with its mother constantly. 

 If the amount of milk in the udder is excessive, a portion of it 

 should be withdrawn, so that the young animal will not be 

 tempted to over- feed. This is especially true of the foal, 

 since the mare sometimes has an enormous quantity of milk 

 when the foal is born, and the latter is so voracious that it may 

 greatly overfeed, if not prevented by the timely withdrawal of 

 a portion of the milk. The objection has been interposed that 

 the withdrawal of the milk removes the colostrum, which some 

 have alleged is essential to the well-being of the young animal. 

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