Diphtheria- (see Sore Throat) Dysentery

This term is used when stools are extremely frequent, accom¬panied by much pain and terrible urging, and contain little but blood and mucus. The large bowel is inflamed and the infection is either bacillary or amoebic. In an epidemic, or in districts where either type of the disease is common, precautions should be taken.
Nothing should be eaten in the raw stale, all milk should be boiled, meals served hot, and scrupulous hygiene be observed, both personal and in the kitchen. Hands must be frequently washed and individual, not communal, towels used. Flies must be excluded from contact with food by every available means. Disinfectant must be used in toilets and latrines, and access of flies prevented as far as possible.
Some of the modern drugs are proving of value in these condi¬tions. Homoeopathic remedies corresponding to the symptom pictures are as follows and can be administered in the usual way (30 or 6, at shorter or longer intervals according to the severity of the symptoms and the measure of relief):
ACONITUM very acute onset in hot weather or in hot climate.
CANTHARIS shreddy, blood-stained stools, with appalling strain¬ing and burning, painful urination.
CAPSICUM symptoms accompanied by terrific thirst and by shivering when drinking; much straining, and burning sensation in rectum.
IPECACUANHA symptoms accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting; constant call to stool, cannot get off the pan; very slimy stools.
MERCURIUS CORROSIVUS perhaps the most important remedy in this disorder, symptoms very acute, stools hot, slimy, offensive and contain a great deal of blood; cutting pains in rectum and straining not relieved by passage of stool.