DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 41 



preparation is not found effectual, oil of turpentine may be given in 

 half-ounce doses three times a day in a quart of new sweet milk, and 

 among other remedies which maybe employed we may mention sulphate 

 of copper, which should be given in dram doses, combined with 20 grains 

 of opium and mixed with at least a quart of linseed tea. Nitrate of 

 silver may also be given in 10-grain doses mixed or dissolved in a pint 

 of distilled water. These latter remedies are especially efficacious in 

 their effect on the ulceratious on the surface of the intestine, but it is 

 not advisable to use them in an early stage. Whatever remedy is 

 employed in treating dysentery, it should be given mixed in a consid- 

 erable quantity of liquid, as in this way it brings the medicinal agent 

 in contact with a large portion of the mucous surface of the diseased 

 bowel. In addition to the treatment recommended, the diseased animal 

 must be kept warm and comfortable, and great attention must be paid 

 to its general comfort. 



SIMPLE ENTERITIS. 



Inflammation of the bowels must be held to signify in a general way 

 inflammation of all parts of the mucous membrane of the bowels, though 

 in some forms of what may properly be termed enteritis we find that 

 the mucous, muscular, and serous coats of the bowels are involved, 

 while in other cases only a limited portion of the mucous membrane of 

 the bowel is affected. The different forms of this malady will all be 

 described under the heading of enteritis. 



Gauges. This disease occurs at all seasons of the year, but most fre- 

 quently at times when there are great variations of temperature. Hard 

 and long-continued work may operate as a cause in the case of oxen. 

 Eating such food as musty hay and oats, forage containing acid plants, 

 the leaves of trees infested with caterpillars, grass which has commenced 

 to ferment after cutting, dusty hay, and grass covered with hoar frost 

 may also give rise to enteritis. Drinking copiously of ice-cold water 

 may also produce it. Exposure to a cold, damp wind or any influence 

 which suddenly chills the surface of the body may operate as a cause. 



Symptoms. Dryness of the muzzle, diminished appetite, partial or 

 total cessation of rumination (see Loss of Cud, p. 3ii), symptoms of colic 

 which are indicated by restlessness. The animal lies down and gets up 

 frequently, looks round at its flank, raises its tail, paws with its front 

 feet, and strikes with its feet at the abdomen. After a time the symp- 

 toms of acute pain subside, and the animal lies down, but does not 

 appear to be free from pain, turns its nose round on the flank and does 

 not cat or ruminate. When injections are given they are soon ejected 

 from the bowel, the passages are dry, glistening, and coated with mucus. 

 Gas is frequently passed, frequent attempts to urinate arc made, but 

 only a small quantity of urine is passed at a time. Hutcritis comes on 

 suddenly and usually runs a rapid course, death taking place in four or 

 five hours in fatal cases. When the animal lias not been Ion;,' exposed 



