DYSENTERY. 115 
CHAPTER IIL. 
DYSENTERY. 
Ir is highly important that the characteristic and distinctive features of 
diarrhoea and dysentery should be given such decided prominence that it will 
be impossible to confound these diseases, for the reason that the former may 
be harmless or even beneficial, whereas the latter is a serious affection, in which 
there occurs an inflammation of the lower bowel — so called the large intestine 
—and glands therein. 
At first the mucous membrane of the intestine is congested, then inflamed ; 
and the glands in question swell and eventually ulcerate unless the disease is 
stayed. This membrane may also be covered with patches of false membrane 
similar to that which appears in diphtheria, the affected intestine be swollen and 
boggy, and its mucous lining be detached in places, leaving them raw and 
ulcerating surfaces. Again, the inflammation may extend up from the large 
intestine and involve the smaller bowel. 
From this mere glance at the changes which may occur in dysentery it is 
plainly evident that it is an affection of much more serious character than 
diarrhcea. But, fortunately, it is far from common in dogs. Indeed, severe 
forms of it are exceedingly rare except when it occurs as a complication of 
other diseases. 
There are several distinct types of this disease, each of which has special 
causative factors; but a general discussion should suffice, since the treatment, 
the all-important consideration, is materially the same in all. 
Among the influences which strongly favor the occurrence of dysentery 
are unhygienic conditions such as exist in neglected and filthy kennels. Al- 
though the dog is blessed with a marked immunity against the ill effects of 
tainted foods, they are yet at times capable of giving rise to this disease. So, 
too, is exposure to sudden and great atmospheric changes. The cause may 
also exist in the water; and although, while intensely heated, dogs may often 
drink from stagnant pools without harmful results, now and then dysentery 
follows such indulgence. It also sometimes follows diarrhoea, and seems attrib- 
utable to failure to apply proper treatment to the simpler trouble. 
When a case of dysentery occurs in a large kennel the chances are many 
that other cases will soon break out, suggesting the generally accepted fact that 
it is sometimes a germ disease and caused by a specific bacillus. This strongly 
