INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 95 



epidemics of the -world and one form is caused by bacillus 

 dysenteries. 



What is the pathology? 



The mucous membrane of the large bowels, and sometimes the 

 ileum, becomes of a red-brown color, especially that of the colon, 

 ■where the disease is most extensive. 



The contents of the intestines are liquid, consisting of serosity, 

 shreds of mucous membrane, and tenacious, blood-stained mucus. 



There is congestion and infiltration of the mucous membrane, 

 and little vesicles may be seen here and there, which rupture, leav- 

 ing ulcers, which are characteristic of dysentery. These ulcerations 

 dip down and may penetrate the muscular coat and affect the peri- 

 toneum. 



Give the symptoms of dysentery. 



It usually commences with symptoms of dyspepsia, the animal 

 becoming dull, legs together under the body, back somewhat arched, 

 diarrhceal discharges, loss of appetite, tongue furred and moist; 

 later, glazed; thirst, which is prominent; abdomen swollen and 

 painful. 



The most important symptom is the evacuation from the 

 bowels, which is at first liquid, fetid odor, and admixed with blood, 

 and therefore called bloody flux. The discharges are very irritating 

 to the mucous membrane, causing colicky pains and tenesmus. 

 Emaciation takes place rapidly, the discharge becomes involuntary, 

 and there are symptoms of asthenia; the animals die, generally, 

 from exhaustion. 



Give the prognosis. 



The milder cases recover, while the cases with ulceration and 

 bloody discharges usually die. 



If the case be complicated the prognosis is grave. 



What is the duration? 



The average duration is from seven to ten days to four weeks. 



Outline the treatment. 



Try to get rid of the irritating material in the intestines by 

 an oleaginous purge, which, however, should be used with care. 



Morphine hypodermically is indispensable to relieve the pain 

 and straining. 



