LITIS

Enterocolitis is an inflammation of the lower intestines and colon.
The stools contain more mucus than those occurring when the
inflammation is higher up in the intestines and blood is also more
frequent in these stools. The prostration is more marked and the fever
apt to be higher than in ordinary diarrheal attacks. However, acute
attacks of enterocolitis do not produce the marked anemia or the
emaciation which are so common in the chronic cases of enteritis.

Dietetic treatment the same as that used in acute diarrhea.

ACUTE DYSENTERY

Dysentery is a disease in which the seat of inflammation is the colon.
The bowels are distended and tender, the pain at times is acute and
spasmodic, and the fever moderate. The constant desire to defecate and
the straining which accompanies each effort, as well as the small
stools, containing both blood and mucus, furnish the characteristic
symptoms of this disease. Rest in bed is absolutely necessary; the
patient must be induced to use a bedpan.

~Dietetic Treatment.~--The diet consists entirely of liquids as in
acute diarrhea, the same careful regime being observed as in those
conditions. The soreness in the abdomen is at times relieved by spice
poultices or a hot turpentine stupe.

CHRONIC DYSENTERY

When the above conditions become chronic, the patient loses weight and
strength rapidly, becomes anemic and emaciated. The treatment, like
that used in the acute disease, consists of rest and liquid diet. The
medicinal treatment is left entirely in the hands of the physician.

APPENDICITIS

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the vermiform appendix. It may be
acute or chronic in form.

~Symptoms.~--The disease is manifested by sudden pain in the right
side, tenderness over the seat of the inflammation, and a localized
rigidity of the right iliac fossa. The attack is as a rule accompanied
by fever which may run as high as 103 deg. or 104 deg. F. The patient may
suffer from nausea and vomiting. Constipation is generally an annoying
symptom of the disease.

~Rest in Bed.~--The treatment of the acute attack consists of total
abstinence from food for twelve or more hours until the most acute
stage has passed and the patient either passes into the hands of the
surgeon or the symptoms begin to subside in violence. It is necessary
that the patient be kept in bed, not being allowed to rise for
anything. The nurse must make him understand that his recovery,
possibly his