DYSENTERY (Lat. ilysenteria, Gk. aucev 7Epta, dysenteric, dysentery. from ova-, dys-, had gvrepov, entrron, intestine). A form of dis ease of the large. rarely also in the small. intes tine. attended by frequent and scanty discharges from the bowels. and differing from diarrhoea (q.v.) chiefly in being attended by marked fever and pain, as also by the presence of blood and mucus in the discharges. Two forms of dys entery are recognized by medical authorities— sporadic and epidemic. In acute catarrhal coli tis an increase in mucus occurs, which is thrown off with epithelia] cells, serum. and blood, ulcera tion occurring, with swelling of the glands and formation of connective tissue. This is the ordi nary form of dysentery, which is relieved by saline purgatives, astringent injections, opium, saki], and enemata of starch or hot water. :trate infectious rolitis, or 'tropical dysentery,' is either can•ed by the presence of the .4 aurba colt Cann• bic colitis') or by the of Bacillus pyo eyoncas, as shown by Shiga in 1897 and 'Homier in 1899. In tropical dysentery, necrotic and
suppurative processes may be set up in the liver and in the right lung. The symptoms arc largely the same as in catarrhal colitis. except that they are more severe : the mortality also is bird). Tropi cal dysentery is rarely seen in emigrants coming to the United States. It is endemie in south ern Europe. There is a ehronie catarrhal colitis. There is also a form of dysentery, known as 'croupous colitis,' in which there occurs forma tion of a false membrane owes the mucous lining of the intestine. To the variety of dysentery in which inflammatory changes are the most marked in the lymph-nodes, the name nodubt• or bmt1igmtar dysentery is given. if necrosis of the mucous membrane be extensive, the colitis is termed necrotic. All eases of dysentery which do not improve under milk or peptonoid diet and injections of starch and Ina \cantor should be speedily put into a physician's hands.