248 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
of aconite, and there be purging, great prostration, and other violent indi- 
cations, give arsenicum three times an hour. Nux vomica is valuable, es- 
pecially when a change of diet is the cause, for colic with constipation; dis- 
charges of small, brownish balls of dung, with mucus; attempts to urinate 
ineffectual, or only producing slight results. Give a dose two or three times 
an hour. Colocynth is desirable for severe pain from green food, and belly 
puffed out with gas. Injections of tepid water, renewed as often as they 
are expelled from the rectum, are valuable aids. Keep the animal from 
falling heavily, to prevent rupture of internal organs. Lead him about 
and, if he threatens to so fall, whip him or otherwise forcibly drive him. 
When at rest, keep a large supply of straw under him. After the disor- 
der has subsided, give sparingly of easily-digested food until the system is 
fully restored. Other suggestions will be found by referring to the subject 
of Colic in the Horse. 
DYSENTERY. 
Dysentery, or inflammation of the membrane of the large intestine, re- 
sults from a variety of causes, such as damp, rank grass; marshy pastures; 
sudden changes of weather; impure water, especially when a heated animal 
drinks it; other diseases. 
Symptoms.—Sometimes diarrheea or colic first appears; sometimes 
purging is sudden, severe and constant, with straining; griping; bloody 
dung; protrusion of the intestine, which appears hot and swollen; fever; 
tenderness of the belly and loins; violent straining; loss of appetite and 
flesh; skin and hair rough, dry and harsh; milk stopped; sometimes con- 
stipation first appears, the dung being dry, hard, scanty and knotty. When 
inflammation sets in, the dung is discharged more suddenly and violently in 
spurts, becoming stringy and sticky and forming crusts on the hind parts, 
and this form sometimes assumes a chronic character, with more or less 
appearance of occasional recovery. Still later, blood is mixed with the 
dung, the latter soon becoming exceedingly offensive; glandular swellings 
form at the jaws; cold sweats ensue, the anus is ulcerated, the teeth are 
loose, and the eyes are glassy and filmy. 
TREATMENT.—Mercurius corrosivus is needed for violent straining and 
discharges of blood, or of blood and mucus. When there are pains and a 
swollen belly, colocynth may be given. Mild cases resemble diarrhea so 
much that they should receive the same treatment. (See Diarrhea.) Se- 
vere cases resemble Typhus Fever (which consult). For other informa- 
tion, see Dysentery inthe Horse. A little mutton-broth mixed in mashes 
will be found of much service. 
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