Diarrhoea, Scouring. 313 



As examples of the secretion of irritant matters from the blood 

 may be mentioned almost all the different agents used as purga- 

 tives, and purgative agents accidently taken in, these being as 

 a rule absorbed and later secreted again on the intestinal surface, 

 increasing the secretions in their passage : — also the morbid pro- 

 ducts of fevers which irritate the intestinal mucosa and glands 

 as they are thrown out by them (rinderpest, lung plague, 

 Southern cattle fever) : — the purgative waters on certain ' ' scour- 

 ing lands ' ' act in a similar way. Under the head of reflex action 

 may be named the chills from exposure to cold rains, night dews, 

 damp stalls or beds, and damp, hot buildings, seasons and locali- 

 ties. Under the head of nervous causes must be included strong 

 emotions as excitement, fear, etc., which lead to increase of both 

 secretion and peristalsis. Some horses are very subject to this 

 and are known as ' ' washy ' ' . These have usually a slim abdo- 

 men and long loin, and scour whenever they are put to hard 

 work. Other nervous animals with good conformation, but 

 which fret under saddle or in harness will scour under specially 

 severe work or under excitement. This is especially common in 

 young colts while being ' ' broken ' ' , and will occasionally show 

 in mares which are in heat. Cattle that have been on a specially 

 succulent diet (turnips, beets, ensilage, grass) are liable to scour 

 profusely if driven far or fast, and stock men seek to obviate this 

 by feeding some dry bran, meal, and above all fresh dry brewer's 

 grains just before starting. Cows running at large when in heat 

 are very liable to scour. An exclusive diet of turnips or beets 

 will keep cattle in a chronic condition of mild diarrhoea, though 

 not enough to interfere with rapid improvement in flesh. Chronic 

 diseases of the liver by obstructing the flow of blood through the 

 portal vein, cause intestinal congestion and predispose to 

 diarrhoea. 



Of the various domestic animals, horses are the most* liable to 

 superpurgation, from an undue dose of aloes acting on the very 

 large colon and caecum. Hence the importance of using such an 

 agent carefully in the young, fat or debilitated especially, of the 

 avoidance of cold drinks or exercise to excess after the aloes has 

 been given, and of keeping from work during its operation or 

 immediately after. 



