Dysentery
Dysentery is a serious condition
affecting the large intestine. It is characterised by inflammation and
ulceration of the bowel, a colic pain in the region of the abdomen and passing
of liquid or semi-formed stones with mucus and blood. The pathological condition
of dysentery is caused by two organisms, protozoa and bacilli. The former is
generally known as amoebic dysentery and later as bacillary dysentery. An
attack of amoebic dysentery is milder in comparison with bacillary dysentery.
But while bacillary dysentery can respond quickly to treatment, amoebic
dysentery does not leave the patient easily, unless he is careful. Dysentery is
prevalent all over the world except in very cold countries. Places where
insanity conditions prevail are particularly affected. The disease strikes both
sexes equally. Similarly, no age is immune, though children are more prone.
Symptoms
Dysentery may be acute and chronic.
The acute form is characterised by pain in the abdomen, diarrhea and dysenteric
motions. Yellowish white mucus and sometimes only blood from the intestinal
ulcers passes with stools. The evacuations are preceded by pain and tenesmus.
The patient feels a constant desire to evacuate, although there may be nothing
to throw off except a little mucus and blood. There is a feeling of pain in the
rectum and along the large intestine. With the advance of the disease the
quantity of mucus and blood increases. Occasionally casts or shreds of skinline
mucous membrane, from small fragments to 12 inches or so long and an inch wide,
are seen to pass out with motions. Sometimes pus is also thrown out with
motions and often the smell of the stools becomes very foetid. All the
digestive processes are upset and secretions are changed or stopped. The saliva
becomes acid instead of being alkaline and the gastric juice itself may become
alkaline. The stomach loses power to digest and absorb food. The bacilli create
toxins and the foetid matters formed also augment further manufacture of toxins
and consequent absorption in blood. Chronic cases are after-effects of acute
attacks. The patient does not recover completely. Stool remains putrid and may
contain blood, while diarrhea and constipation may alternate, and general
health is disturbed. In severe cases, the temperature may rise to 104° - 105°F. It may occasionally
become subnormal also.
Causes
The cause of dysentery, according to
modern medical system, is germ infection. The germs, which are supposed to
cause dysentery only develop in colon as a result of putrefaction there of excessive
quantities of animal protein food, fried substance, over-spices foods and hard
to digest fatty substances. The real cause of dysentery is thus dietary
indiscretion and eating of excessive amounts of flesh food in hot weather or
tropical climate unsuited to the digestion of such foods. Other causes include
debility, fatigue, chill, lowered vitality, intestinal disorders and overcrowding
under insanitary conditions.
Treatment
The treatment of dysentery should aim at removing the offending and
toxic matter from the intestines and for alleviating painful symptoms, stopping
the virulence of the bacteria and promoting healing of the ulcer. Fasting is
the only correct remedy for dysentery to bring with. The patient should fast as
long as acute symptoms are present. During the period of fasting, only orange
juice and water should be taken. In the alternative, the patient should subsist
on buttermilk till the acute symptoms are over. Butter- milk combats offending
bacteria and helps establishment of helpful micro-organisms in the intestines.
The patient may be given small doses
of castor oil in the form of emulsion. This acts as a mild aperient and
facilitates quicker removal of offensive matter, minimises the strain during
motion and also acts as a lubricant to the ulcerated surfaces. IN addition to
administration of castor oil, the mechanical removal of accumulated poisonous
matter should be attempted by giving very low pressure enema, admitting as much
water as the patient can tolerate. This can be done twice or thrice daily. The
patient should take complete bed rest as movement induces pain and aggravates
distressing symptoms. A hot water bag may be applied over the abdomen.
After the acute symptoms are over, the
patient may be allowed rice, curd, fresh ripe fruits, especially bael, banana
and pomegranate and skimmed milk. Solid foods should be introduced very
carefully and gradually according to the pace of recovery. Flesh foods of all
kinds should be avoided in future as far as possible. Other foods which should
be avoided are tea, coffee, white sugar and white flour and products made from
them as well as alcohol in all forms. Foods which have a detoxifying and
cleansing effect upon the intestines on their passage, through, such as fruits
and vegetables, are most essential to a future dietary.
Among specific food remedies, bael
fruit is, perhaps, the most efficacious in the treatment of dysentery of both
the varieties. Pulp of the fruit mixed with jaggery should be given thrice daily.
To deal with a chronic case of dysentery, unripe bael fruit is roasted over the
fire and the pulp is mixed with water. Large quantities of the infusion so made
should be administered with jaggery. The pulp of the unripe fruit mixed with an
equal quantity of dried ginger can also be given with butter milk.
The use of pomegranate rind is another
effective remedy for dysentery.
About 60 grams of therin should be boiled in 250 grams of milk. It should be
removed from the fire when one third of the milk has evaporated. It should be
administered to the patient in three equal doses at suitable intervals. It will
relieve the disease very soon. Lemon juice is very effective in dealing with
ordinary cases of dysentery. A few lemons, peels and sliced, should be added to
250 ml. of water and boiled for a few minutes. The strained infusion should be
administered thrice daily.
Other remedies considered useful in
the treatment of dysentery are the use of small pieces of onions mixed with
curd and equal parts of the tender leaves of the peepal tree, coriander leaves and
sugar chewed slowly.
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through www.scribd.com
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through www.scribd.com
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