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OF THE DYSENTERY,

1

pai't of the intestine is actually protruded, whichproves exceeding troublesome, especially in children.Flatulency is likewise a troublesome symptom, espe-cially towards the end of the disease.

This disease may be distinguished from a diarrhcea,or looseness, by the acute pain of the bowels, and theblood which generally appears in the stools. It maybe distinguished from the cholera morbus by its notbeing attended with such violent and frequent fits ofvomiting, &c.

When the dysentery attacks the old, the delicate, orsuch as have been wasted by the gout, the scurvy,or other lingering diseases, it generally proves fatal.Vomiting and hiccuping are bad signs. ?>s they shewan inflammation of the stomach. When the stools aregreen, blaek, or have an exceeding disagreeable cada-verous smell, the danger is very great, and it shews thedisease to be of the putrid kind. It is an unfavourablesymptom when clysters are immediately returned*;but still more so when the passage is so obstinately shut,that they cannot be injected. A feeble pulse, cold-ness of the extremities, with difficulty of swallowing,and convulsions, are signs of approaching death.

REGIMEN.—Nothing is of more importance inthis disease than cleanliness. It contributes greatlyto the recovery of the patient, and no less to the safetyof such as attend him. In all contagious diseases thedanger is increased, and the infection spread, by theneglect of cleanliness; but in no one more than this.Every thing about the patient should be frequentlychanged. The excrement should never be suffered tocontinue in his chamber, but removed immediately,and buried under ground. A constant stream of freshair should be admitted into the chamber; and it oughtfrequently to be sprinkled with vinegar, juice oflemon, or some other strong acid.

The patient must not be discouraged, but his spiritskept up in hopes of a cure. Nothing tends more torender any putrid disease mortal, than the fears andapprehensions of the sick. All diseases of this nature