DYSENTERY. 153 



situation, and have attacked the mucous membrane of 

 the intestines. Being inflammation of the internal 

 coat, the numerous vessels which secrete the mucus of 

 the intestinal canal share the irritation ; they at the 

 commencement pour out an increased quantity of fluid, 

 and purging generally ensues, but towards the end 

 all secretion ceases, and either purgation ceased, or 

 the intestine having become disorganized, perpetual 

 and foetid stools ensue. 



This disease can hardly be confounded with the 

 foregoing. The pulse, although hard in dysentery, 

 is not so much so as in enteritis, nor is it so wiry. 

 The muzzle and extremities are not so cold in the last 

 disorder. The horse suffering dysentery shows that 

 he endures intense pain ; he looks anxiously round at 

 his flanks; he is continually shifting his position : he 

 lies down, and immediately rises again ; but he never 

 rolls so violently as in enteritis ; nor does he kick so 

 desperately ; nor is there so much tenderness of the 

 belly. At the same time he is purging instead of ex- 

 hibiting the obstinate costiveness which too frequently 

 accompanies enteritis. 



Thousands of horses are destroyed every year by 

 over-physicking; for should the purging run on to 

 inflammation of the mucous membrane, it can seldom 

 be effectually stopped. The first inquiry should be 

 as to the length of time during which the purging has 

 existed; the degree of pain that the animal has 

 evinced; and the nature and quantity of the dis- 

 charge. If not more than twenty-four or thirty-six 

 hours have elapsed since the physic began to work ; 

 if the dejections are not very foetid, even although 

 h 5 



