DIARRHCEA AND DYSENTERY 34i 



and discharge, and also the general fever ; but no very material de- 

 gree of benefit can be expected from them ; and there certainly 

 cannot be that importance which is sometimes attached to the sub- 

 stance or the root that is inserted. The common cord, or hair-rope, 

 will answer every purpose : the black hellebore root, however, pro- 

 duces the speediest inflammation and the most copious discharge. 



Fomentation of the right flank and the right side of the belly with 

 hot water, or, in acute cases, the blistering of those parts, will be far 

 more serviceable than any seton in the dewlap can possibly be. 



That admirable disinfectant, the chloride of lime, promises to be 

 of essential service in the treatment of dysentery ; not only in chang- 

 ing the nature of the intestinal discharge, and depriving it of all 

 its putridity, but in disposing the surface of the intestine, with which 

 it may be brought into contact, to assume a more healthy character. 

 When applied externally to wounds and ulcers of every kind, it 

 effects wonders in both of these respects ; and, being properly 

 diluted, it has not been found to give any great pain, or dangerously 

 to increase inflammation in the most irritable ulcer. It may be ad- 

 ministered either by the mouth, or in the form of clyster. The 

 practitioner will probably avail himself of its aid in both forms. It 

 should not be mingled with any other drug ; but half an ounce of 

 the solution, or a drachm of the powder, may be mixed with a 

 quart of water, and given between the regular periods for the ad- 

 ministration of the other remedies. 



The reader will mind the caution as to the mode of administering 

 liquid medicine to cattle ; for in a disease so serious and so fatal as 

 d)''senter}% it cannot be too deeply impressed on the mind of the 

 practitioner. Whether the medicine be given by means of the horn 

 or the pump, it should flow as gently as possible down the gullet, 

 that it may not break through the floor of the oesophagean canal, 

 but have a better chance of passing on to the fourth stomach and 

 the intestines. 



In this, as well as in the chronic stage of dysentery, a great deal 

 more depends upon attending to the comfort of the animal than too 

 many seem to believe. The patient should be housed, and well lit- 

 tered down, and, in some cases, moderately clothed. Of his food, 

 little portions at a time should be culled for him and off"ered to him ; 

 and warm gruel and warm mashes should be frequently put within 

 his reach. There can be no doubt that more benefit is connected 

 with that one word comfort, than can be procured from half the 

 drugs which the veterinary pharmacopoeia contains. 



In many cases, and in every case that can be brought to a suc- 

 cessful termination, it will be observed, after the perseverance of ten 

 days or a fortnight in this mode of treatment, that the pain preceding 

 and accompanying the evacuations is materially lessened, and that 

 the nature of the matter evacuated is changed. The stools will pro- 

 16* 



