DIARRHOEA. 295 



The mucous membrane was much inflamed, and had many 

 dark patches resembling ulcers upon it, varying from the size 

 of a sixpence to a crown piece. The liver was pale, and 

 softened in texture." 



Treatment. A brisk purge is to be administered in the 

 early stage. Injection of warm water must also be perse- 

 vered with, and the animal must be allowed to drink as much 

 as it wishes. The treatment by turpentine has many advo- 

 cates. Saline or oleaginous purgatives have to be repeated 

 two or three times in the majority of cases, and some advo- 

 cate the solution of aloes, given to an adult ox or cow, in 

 doses of seven or eight ounces. The hot-air bath and free 

 ablution with cold water are to be recommended in this 

 disease. If diarrhoea continues, the same treatment must be 

 carried out as in common dysentery. 



DlARRHCEA. 



This is usually a symptom or consequence of disease rather 

 than in itself a malady, and consists in the frequent discharge 

 of liquid excrement without bleeding. 



Causes. There are three distinct kinds of diarrhoea. The 

 first variety is dependent on some irritant which excites se- 

 cretion, and the peristaltic movement of the intestine; the 

 second is due to a blood-poison which nature attempts to 

 eliminate by the intestinal mucous surface ; and thirdly, there 

 are cases of diarrhoea from derangement of the stomach, liver, 

 and pancreas. 



In the horse we find improper food, such as boiled roots 

 and bran, potatoes, damp grass, and other similar causes, 

 coupled with over-work and a special predisposition, produce 

 the first form of diarrhoea. The second variety is observed 

 in low types of influenza and other fevers ; whereas the thk J 

 is symptomatic of liver disorder. 



