(Dysentery) Cause.—Chilling of the outer surface of the body. Improper feeding, as contaminated food or water, sometimes connected with parasitic diseases of the intestines. Symptoms.—Dysentery is a sign of some irritation of the intestines terminating with increased contractions of muscular fibers of the bowels. The fecal matter, if frequently expelled, at first consists of a thick feces, but as the disease progresses the fecal matter becomes very thin and watery tinged with blood and very offensive. When the first signs are noticed the animals show no constitutional disturbances, but later they exhibit abdominal pain by looking around to the flank. At this stage they are very weak, throwing the feet well together, giving the back an arched appearance, and are very uneasy although they may lie down frequently. Temperature elevated from one to three degrees. The animal becomes emaciated and eventually dies. Treatment.—Determine the cause and remove it if possible. Keep the animal quiet. Give pure water to drink in small quantities but often. If the animal will eat, feed steamed rolled oats, etc. Flaxseed tea is very beneficial, as it is soothing to the intestines and assists in removing the irritations. Pour one quart of boiling water on one-half pint of pure Flaxseed, allowing it to cool, then compel the animal to drink it. The following prescription will be found very effective in all forms of Diarrhoea: Tannic Acid, one ounce; Protan, two ounces; Gum Catechu, two ounces; Beechwood Creosote, four scruples; Zinc Sulphocarbolates, eight grains. Make |