Dysentery is a serious condition affecting the large intestine. It is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the bowel, 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. 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 of Dysentery
Dysentery may be acute or chronic. The acute form is characterized 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 skin line 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 fetid. 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 the power to digest and absorb food.
The bacilli create toxins and the fetid matter formed also augments further manufacture of toxins and consequent absorption in the 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 o F. It may occasionally become subnormal also.
Causes of Dysentery
The cause of dysentery, according to the modern medical system, is germ infection. The germs, which are supposed to cause dysentery only develop in the colon as a result of the putrefaction 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 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.
Natural Treatment of Dysentery
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 the healing of the ulcer.
Fasting is the only correct remedy for dysentery to bring with it. 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. Buttermilk combats offending bacteria and helps establishment helpful micro-organisms in the intestines.
