Goettlieb Richter, in his Medical and Surgical Observations, observes, that the dysentery is a rheumatic or catarrhous affection of the larger intestines; and that the proper remedies for the disease are sedatives and diaphoretics. In three epidemic dysenteries, which he carefully and accurately observed, he was fully convinced that the bilious appearances were accidental and accessory; and he produces several facts to prove that the bilious acrimony was not the cause of the disease, but rather the effect of irritation in the bowels, producing an increased secretion of bile, and that they had no essential influence on the principal complaint.

From this view, he depended upon opium and antimony for the cure, which they effected by allaying pain and irritation, and raising a gentle diaphoresis. He asserts also, that by the use of opium the bilious symptoms disappeared, and the patient was cured without evacuation. He does not totally reject vomits and purgatives; but if they are indicated at the beginning of the disease, he administers them. Vomits evacuate the bile, diminish the spasm in the intestines, and promote a gentle perspiration; for which purpose, he prefers ipecacuanha to emetic tartar; to clear the intestines, manna; but more particularly calomel, which from experience he found more powerful and more gentle than other purgatives; and so far from increasing the pains in the bowels, it frequently diminishes them. Rhubarb he considers as a very dangerous medicine in this disease; though, after it is cured, he approves of it as a strengthener of the stomach and intestines. When the fever is considerable, the antimon. tartarisatum, in small doses, was given, with sal ammoniac, or Min-dererus' spirit. When inconsiderable, tinct. thebaic. with vinum antimonii Huxhami; or extr. opii with ipecacuanha. But in order to cure the disease radically, the use of opium must be continued, and emetics given at intervals, if necessary. A soft pulse, and moist skin, are the chief signs of the good effects of opium, and of a certain amendment. Warm fomentations to the abdomen; and frictions, with volatile camphorated liniment, were useful: but if there was a fixed pain in the belly, or they were constant, a blister on the abdomen produced the best effects. In cases where the evacuations were very fetid, and the patient much debilitated, the arnica was very useful; and when a lientery remained after the disease, the columbo root exceeded all other remedies.

The chronic dysentery is a very different complaint, and has not been so fully considered as it deserves. After the acute disease is removed, a tenderness of the bowels remains. They are excited to action frequently, and by the slightest causes; the stools are small, mucous, and often offensive, with frequent pains; the strength and appetite greatly impaired; the skin dry; the complexion of a dark yellow; and the eyes sunk. Either from the original cause, the climate, in which it occurred, or the disease itself, the power of the digestive organs is frequently impaired, and the liver often injured. The blood is confined to the larger vessels, and the determination to the surface greatly diminished. The remaining disease of the intestines seems to be a chronic, erysipelatous inflammation, a defect of mucus, andoften, perhaps, an erosion of the villous coat.

In this state of the complaint, tonics have little power. A mild, nutritious diet; the lighter bitters, as the columbo root, and the camomile flowers; a warm climate; or flannel clothing; are chiefly necessary. The increased action of the larger intestines often requires opium to be injected in a clyster; and we have found equal parts of soap and wax, with a small portion of the pulvis Doveri, ofconsiderable service. The soap renders the wax soluble in our fluids; and, together, they supply the abraded mucus, while the Dover's powder not only checks the too violent action of the bowels, but determines to the surface. With every exertion, however, the disease is only palliated. The patient must rest contented with infirm health during the remainder of his existence. We mean not to say that every dysentery terminates in this state; but every violent dysentery leaves some unpleasant remains of this kind.

See Alex. Trallian; Aretaeus; Coelius Aurelianus, and Celsus; Baker on the Dysentery; Akenside's Commentary; Zimmerman on the Dysentery, translated by Hopson; Degner de Dysenteria; Wallis's Sydenham; Dr. Wilson on the Dysentery; Cullen's First Lines, vol. iii. p. 101. edit. 4; Moseley on Tropical Diseases; Lond. Med. Journ. vol. ii. p. 86, iii. 189. vol. vii. p. 337; Goettlieb Richter's work before quoted.

Dysenteria a Catharticis,andparlslaca. Dlarr-hoea Mucosa. See Dlarrhcea.