Epidemic diarrhoea : consideration of the etiology and treatment

Abstract

In attempting to outline the subject of Epidemic Diarrhoea,I recognise the difficulty of separating the group,which we are accustomed to call by that name from, the other forms apparently so closely related to it,that by a large number of practitioners they are registered as the same disease. It is certainly much more common among children than adults,but occurs in the latter class to a vary large extent when dietetic circumstances for them approach,at times,the conditions in which the great majority of children are placed,For that reason,though it must be discussed to a great ex tent as a children's disease,it is well in the first place to recognise that the Synonym,Infantile Diarrho or Epidemic Infantile Diarrhoea,is incorrect and misleading. Again, it seems to mo confusing and incorrect to separate and name them as separate entities-Cholera Infantum and Acuta Entero-Colitis unless indeed the latter is specifically mentioned, as a complication of another disease. The evidence which we now have about the pathology of Diarrhoeal Diseases, being gathered from the results of post mortem examinations and from the examination of Diarrhoea stools, is in favour of regarding Cholera Infantum and Cholera Nostra,as well the less acute forms of Diarrhoea so long as they are accompanied by conof organic irritation of the Gastro Intestinal Tract The Causative agents may under suitable conditions produce the Disease in Epidemic form, and Entero Colitis may at any time to present accompanied or not by Gastritis, the changes in the Gastric and Intestinal walls depending upon the intensity and virulence of the infection,and the length of time it remains in the tract.