DYSENTERY. 117 
As for the danger of dysentery being mistaken for enteritis, it is possible for 
a time, for it is often ushered in by the latter, the stomach also being involved 
—as evinced by vomiting; but it would scarcely be long before doubts could 
be set at rest, for the discharges in enteritis contain blood only in rare instances, 
and in such, pain and tenderness are generally sufficient to indicate severe and 
widespread inflammation of the bowels. Moreover, in that affection vomiting 
is usually quite persistent. 
The treatment appropriate for dysentery does not differ materially from that 
required in diarrhoea. Indeed, in the early stages the line laid down for the lat- 
ter should be taken. That is, a dose of castor-oil and laudanum should be given 
at the outset to clear the bowels, and be followed by suitable doses of Dover’s 
powder ; while the diet should be restricted to milk and lime-water. 
This treatment very generally cuts short attacks of dysentery. They termi- 
nate before the bowels are sufficiently affected to give rise to serious symptoms, 
and the disease is converted into simple diarrhea. If, however, such happy 
result is denied, and the discharges become bloody, the following mixture should 
be obtained: Carbolic acid, five grains; sulphate of morphia, three grains; sul- 
phate of sodium, three drachms; water, two ounces. 
Of this one teaspoonful should be given every two or three hours if the dog 
is of medium or large size ; one-half a teaspoonful to dogs weighing from twenty 
to thirty pounds ; while one-fourth of a teaspoonful would be right for the small 
toys. Under its use the discharges will at first show only slight decrease in fre- 
quency ; but usually within twenty-four hours the straining will have been largely 
overcome and the pain controlled. Then the blood will quickly disappear, and 
the movements of the bowels slowly and surely lessen. 
Only in rare instances do the discharges consist largely of greenish mucus, 
and in such the liver is seriously affected. But calpmel, so often resorted to, is 
never required in this condition, for a much simpler agent will act more speedily 
and far better. The one in question is capsicum or Cayenne pepper, and the 
dose appropriate for dogs of largest size is five grains; three is sufficient for 
others of medium size; two for such dogs as fox-terriers; and one for the 
small toys. 
This drug should always be given in pill form — concealed in a little scraped 
raw beef — once in three hours; and only four or five doses will be required to 
cause a profuse flow of bile and displace the greenish with a grayish color. 
Rectal injections of starch-water, etc., are eminently satisfactory in the treat- 
ment of dysentery in man, but being stoutly resisted by dogs, are objectionable ; 
moreover, but rarely if ever are they required. Were injections deemed neces- 
sary, all other measures having failed, as much warm water as possible should 
be injected into the bowels and allowed to come away. Then should be adminis- 
tered an injection consisting of half a cupful of milk into which has been well 
stirred the white of an egg and one drachm of the subnitrate of bismuth. This 
