CATTI,B. 307 



not performed as regularly as usual. It is a symptom of a great many 

 diseases, and when its existence is detected, it should lead the observer 

 to tr)' and diccover other symtoms, so that on those he may base a 

 correct opinion as to the nature of the disease from which the animal 

 suffers. 



Diarrliea. This results either from increased action of the muscu- 

 lar coat of the intestines, an unusually liquid state of their contents, or, 

 generaU}^ from both of these conditions combined. 



Causes. The exciting causes of diarrhea may be thus arranged: 

 Irritation of the intestines by food taken in excess, or of improper qual- 

 ity, and this especially applies to soft, watery, green, food; excessive 

 secretions, especially bile; impure water and water drunk in excess; 

 mechanical congestion of the intestinal vessels; acute or chronic inflam- 

 mation of the bowels. It ma}- be a symptom of other diseases which de- 

 pend on the presence of an animal poison in the blood, as may be ob- 

 served in Texas fever and contagious pleuro-pneumonia. Causes of a 

 more general character, ^dz. ; exposure to changes of temperature, either 

 excessive heat or cold may produce it. 



Syttiptottis. The animal is dull, places its feet well under the body, 

 arches its back, and shows thirst. Passages from the bowels are fre- 

 quent, at first consisting of thin dung, but as the disease continues thej' 

 become watery and offensive smelling, and may even be streaked with 

 blood. Frequently this malady is accompanied by fever, great de- 

 pression, I0.SS of strength, rapid loss of flesh, and it may terminate 

 in death. 



Treatment. When the disease depends on irritating properties of 

 the food which has been supplied to the animal it is advisable to give a 

 mild purgative, such as a pint of castor or linseed oil. When the secre- 

 tions of the bowels are irritating an ounce of carbonate of magnesia and 

 half an ounce of tincture of opium should be shaken up in a quart of 

 linseed tea and given to the animal three times a day until the passages 

 present a natural appearance. When there is debility, want of appetite, 

 no fever, but a continuance of the watery discharges from the bowels, 

 then an astringent may be given. Eor such cases we have found the 

 following serviceable: 



6 ounces Powdered Galls, 

 2 ouuoes Powdered Gentian. 



Mix and divide into twelve powders. Three times a day give one of 

 tJieae powder until the passages present a natural appearance. Each 



