DISEASES OF THE BOWELS. 7 1 



DYSENTERY, 



Or inflammation of the intestinal mucous membrane, chiefly 

 of the large bowels, succeeded by ulceration and haemorrhage, 

 is a much more serious complaint than the former. Dysen- 

 tery differs from diarrhoea in that the discharge is unaccom- 

 panied by any faecal matter, except, from time to time, small 

 dark indurated lumps. 



Causes. — Protracted and severe diarrhoea, putrid and un- 

 wholesome food, vitiated bile, intense heat, and foul smells. 



Symptoms. — Dysentery may be ushered in with rigors, 

 general febrile excitement, and offensive evacuation ; or be 

 preceded by flatulency, constipation, colicky pains, nausea, 

 and vomiting. The anal discharge varies in appearance : some- 

 times it resembles pure mucus, at others blood mixed with 

 mucus, while, not unfrequently, pure blood is voided. -As the 

 disease proceeds and ulceration is developed, pus becomes 

 mingled with the discharge, as .well as membranous shred-like 

 particles (the latter an ominous sign). Considerable prostra- 

 tion is attendant throughout ; the pulse is weak and quLck, 

 . the respiration increased, the eyes sunken, mucous mem- 

 branes injected, the nose dry and hot, mouth slimy and breath 

 offensive ; with these there is loss of appetite, considerable 

 thirst, and disinclination during the latter stages to move, the 

 evacuations being involuntary and most disgusting. 



Treatment. — The medicinal treatment of dysentery should 

 be essentially anodyne and astringent. The sulphate of cop- 

 per and opium stand pre-eminent, and may be given in the 

 proportions named in the foregoing disease, three or if neces- 

 sary four tiriies per day. I am no advocate for blood-letting 

 in this excessively reducing malady. As a local application I 

 prefer a hot linseed-meal poultice to the abdomen. When 

 the discharge is excessive, and mingled with blood, a table- 

 spoonful of starch, with lo drops of laudanum, may be in- 

 jected, or 20 drops of tinct. ferri in a tablespoonful of iced 

 water, and repeated if necessary. 



