DIAEEHEA. 307 



the purpose of viewing it in connection -with dysentery, to 

 which it is sometimes closely allied, and into -^diich it often 

 runs — and which is clearly a febrile disease — it will he 

 described here. 



Common diarrhea, purging, or scours, manifests itself 

 simply by the copiousness and fluidity of the evacuations of 

 dung. It is brought on by a sudden change from dry feed to 

 green, or by the introduction of improper substances into the 

 stomach. It is important clearly to distinguish this disease 

 from dysentery. In diarrhea there is no apparent general 

 ffever ; the appetite remains good ; the stools are thin and 

 watery, but tmaccompanied with mucus (slime) and blood ; 

 the odor of the dung is far less offensive than in dysentery; 

 the general condition of the animal is but little changed. 



Confinement to dry food for a day or two, and a gradual 

 return to it, oftentimes suffice for its cure. I have rarely 

 administered anything to grown sheep, and never have lost 

 one from this disease. To lambs, especially if attacked in the 

 fall, the disease is more serious. If the purging is severe, 

 and especially if any mucus (slime) is observed with the 

 dung, the feculent matter should be removed from the bowels 

 by a gentle cathartic — ^as half a drachm of rhubarb, or an 

 ounce of linseed-oil, or half an ounce of Epsom salts to a lamb. 

 This should always be followed by an astringent, and in nine 

 cases out of ten, the latter will serve in the first instance. I 

 generally administer, say, ^ oz. of prepared chalk in half a 

 pint of tepid milk, once a day for two or three days, at the 

 end of which, and frequently after the first dose, the purging 

 will ordinarily have abated or entirely ceased.* 



The following is the formula of the English " sheep's 

 cordial," usually prescribed in cases of diarrhea by the 

 English veterinarians, and there can be no doubt it is a safe and 

 excellent remedy — better probably than simple chalk and 

 milk in severe cases : Take of prepared chalk one ounce, 

 powdered catechu half an ounce, powdered ginger two 

 drachms, and powdered opium half a drachm ; mix them with 

 half a pint of peppermint water — give two or three table- 

 spoonfuls morning and night to a grown sheep, and half 

 that quantity to a lamb. 



Mr. Spooner says: — "If the cases are not severe, and 

 entirely confined to diarrhea, astringents alone may be given ; 

 but if any mucus is perceived, it wiU be proper to administer 



• This, and the two preceding paragraphs, are quoted with the alteration of a few 

 words from my Sheep Husbandry in the South. 



