INTESTINAL OATAEBH. 61 



hand, we often have inflammation of the large intestine with no 

 diarrhoea at all. 



lu making a diagnosis it is well not to identify too closely 

 diarrhoea and catarrh of the intestines — that is, consider each case 

 of diarrhoea as being due to inflammation of the bowels —as there 

 are many causes that increase the peristaltic action and cause 

 diarrhoea that are not due to direct inflammation, such as colds or a 

 sudden chill to an animal that has been kept warm, to poisonous 

 substances, from tlie administration of laxatives or cathartics, or 

 great exertion in an animal that is not accustomed to it. It is, 

 however, impossible distinctly to draw the line, but a conclusion 

 can be arrived at by the number, amount, and character of the 

 diarrhoeic discharges. 



In all animals the number of daily stools varies to a certain ex- 

 tent, and their consistency from pulpy to thin, watery evacuations. 

 At first the passages are clearer than natural and yellower, and as 

 the condition goes on they become gray ; this color is due to the 

 fact that the passages are so frequent that the liver is not able to 

 furnish sufficient bile to color them, and in a number of cases 

 there is a certain amount of thick, gelatinous mucus mixed in the 

 excremental matter. In some cases the mucus becomes very 

 copious, and that form is passed almost entirely, and in rare cases 

 blood and pus (for further details, see page 40). 



In this condition the animal is restless, changing the position 

 frequently, groans or cries, arches the back, or may rest the 

 forepart of the body on the ground and have the hind-quarters 

 elevated. This is an indication of colicky pains. The examina- 

 tion of the abdomen externally does not furnish much information. 

 Sometimes the abdomen is contracted; in other cases it is dis- 

 tended. On applying the ear to the region of the abdomen a 

 great amount of gurgling or rolling is heard in the cavity. This 

 is due to the increased peristaltic action. On pressing the poste- 

 rior part of the abdomen the animal often evinces pain. 



Tenesmus and relaxation of the rectum are generally present in 

 the later stages of this disease. The animal makes prolonged 

 and repeated efforts to pass the excremental matter, and latterly 

 passes only small amounts of mucus after great exertions. In 

 some cases these great exertions cause the lower bowel to be pro- 

 truded. This, however, is generally seen in young puppies and 



