ACUTE DYSENTERY
Dysentery is a disease in which the seat of inflammation is the colon. The bowels are distended and tender, the pain at times is acute and spasmodic, and the fever moderate. The constant desire to defecate and the straining which accompanies each effort, as well as the small stools, containing both blood and mucus, furnish the characteristic symptoms of this disease. Rest in bed is absolutely necessary; the patient must be induced to use a bedpan.
Dietetic Treatment.—The diet consists entirely of liquids as in acute diarrhea, the same careful régime being observed as in those conditions. The soreness in the abdomen is at times relieved by spice poultices or a hot turpentine stupe.