DYSENTERY. 193 



that of enteritis; bad sanitation and unhealthy surroundings; 

 malarial poisoning, either through the air or water; persistent 

 chronic diarrhoea, and exposure to extremes of temperature are 

 mainly accountable for attacks of this disorder when they arise; 

 hence very ordinary precautions will serve to protect horses from 

 its invasion. 



Symptoms. — Diarrhoea is the earliest noticeable feature of the 

 disorder; in the next place fits of shivering will be observed, 

 which should lead to the taking of the temperature; this will be 

 found somewhat elevated and the pulse abnormally fast; prostra- 

 tion is generally well marked, accompanied b}' impaired appetite 

 and general wasting of the muscular tissues; the faecal discharges 

 are usualh^ liquid in character mixed with jelly-like mucus and 

 blood, while shreds of mucous membrane will be frequently 

 observed in the mass; as the disease makes further inroad, the 

 appetite decreases, the thirst increases, the faecal discharges 

 become very foetid, while wasting and exhaustion are hourly more 

 pronounced; continued straining, both during an evacuation and 

 thereafter is specially noticeable; the mucous membrane lining the 

 mouth and tongue is frequently soft and pasty in consistence. 



Treatment. — Aconite ix. — In the early stages this remedy, 

 given in hourly doses, will at times arrest the febrile condition 

 and thus prevent the further development of the disease; but 

 should no apparent advantage follow its administration within 

 three hours, it may fairly be concluded that the morbid process 

 has obtained too firm a hold upon the constitution, and that drugs 

 more appropriate to the precise condition are called for. 



Nitric acid 6x. — In cases of d3'sentery where the mouth, tongue 

 and throat are specially implicated and a dry laryngeal cough ex- 

 perienced, this remedy will be found very appropriate. 



Aloes 3. — Forcible expulsion of water}' evacuations, attended 

 with much straining, and soreness of the anus, followed by evident 

 exhaustion and faintness. 



Colchiciim 6. — This remedy fills up a gap that is occasionally 

 difficult to supply, when dysentery is associated with the formation 

 of gases and the large intestines are inflated, an exceptional condi- 

 tion that gives rise to considerable difficulty in treatment; this, 

 however, furnishes a proof of the advantage of a homoeopathically 

 selected drug which orthodox practice fails to supply; the occur- 



