Dysentery

A term applied to a number of intestinal disorders, especially of the colon, characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes. Types of dysentery: amebic, bacillary, balantidial, malignant, viral.

Causes

Bacterial or viral infection; infestation of protozoa or parasitic worms (see Worms); chemical irritants. Inflammation of the rectum and large intestine, insufficient foods, improper diet, drinking too much liquid with meals, overeating, wrong combinations of foods, stimulating foods, liquor, tea, coffee, drinking impure water, unhygienic surroundings, eating fruits or vegetables that have begun to decompose, eating foods that have been standing in pantries that are not well ventilated, and eating improperly refrigerated, contaminated foods. Irritated bowels, habitual constipation, and taking certain types of medicine, such as laxatives, may also be the cause.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain, tenesmus (spasmodic contractions of anal or vesical sphinctre with pain and persistent desire to empty the bowel or bladder, with involuntary ineffectual straining efforts), diarrhea with passage of mucus or blood. More or less fever, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and restless at night. Sometimes the abdomen is distended. Severe symptoms: Increasing fever, great thirst, red tongue, the abdomen may appear sunken in some cases, straining ceases, and the bowels become relaxed and may protrude. Passage of urine is infrequent and is accompanied by a burning sensation. The pulse becomes slow, breathing is rapid, and generally the patient looks pale and emaciated. Do not let this condition continue. See a doctor for the severe symptoms.

Treatment

Bedrest. Light diet. Use potassium broth, soybean milk, or oatmeal milk, and drink at least a pint a day of slippery elm water and barley water. Whole wheat flakes can be completely dissolved in soybean milk. Chew the food thoroughly before swallowing. See the doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Herbal Medicine Formulas and Recipes
Chinese Formulas
Ayurvedic Formulas

Herbs

Agrimony
Alder
Allspice
Aloe
Alum, root, wild
Apple
Arbutus
Arnica
Ash, prickly
Balm
Barberry
Bayberry bark
Bearberry, (Uva ursi)
Beechdrop
Benne leaves
Bilberry
Birch
Birthroot
Bistort root
Bitterroot
Bitter sweet
Blackberry root
Black haw
Black Indian hemp
Black root
Blueberry
Blue flag
Boneset
Burdock
Butternut
Calamus
Capsicum
Carrot, wild
Cascara bark
Castor bean
Catnip
Cayenne
Celandine
Centaury
Chamomile
Chapparal
Cherry, wild, bark
Chestnut
Cinnamon
Cinquefoil
Cloves
Cohosh, black
Collinsonia
Colombo
Comfrey
Coriander
Cranesbill
Crowfoot
Cranesbill
Crowfoot
Cypress
Dock, yellow
Elder
Elecampane
Elm, slippery, bark
Eryngo
Eucalyptus
Fenugreek
Fireweed
Fleabane
Flag, sweet
Flaxseed
Frostwort
Garlic
Ginger, wild, African
Golden rod
Goldenseal
Grape
Horseradish
Horsetail, grass
Hound's tongue
Jasmine, yellow
Knotweed
Labrador tea
Lavender
Life everlasting
Life root
Lobelia
Lotus leaf
Lungwort
Marshmallow
Matico
Meadowblossom
Meadowsweet
Moss, Iceland
Mullein
Nettle
Nutmeg
Oak, white, bark
Onion
Patchouli
Peach tree leaves
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Persimmon bark
Pilewort
Plantain, water
Pleurisy root
Pokeroot
Pomegranate
Poplar
Poppy seeds
Primrose, evening
Privet
Privet
Psyllium
Ragweed
Raspberry, red, leaves
Red root
Rhubarb, root
Pomegranate
Sage
St. John's wort
Samson snakeroot
Sanicle
Sassafras
Savory
Sesame seeds
Shepherd's purse
Skullcap
Spikenard
Squaw vine
Stoneroot
Strawberry, wild, leaves
Sumac
Sumbul
Sunflower
Sweet gum
Tamarack
Tansy
Thuja
Thyme
Tormentil
Valerian
Wahoo, bark
Water Avens root
Water Pepper
White pond lily
Willow, black, American
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Yam, wild
Yarrow
Yerba santa

Suggestions

A tea for the relief of dysentery:
Black pepper (1 part)
Coriander (2 parts)
Sweet flag root, powdered (30 parts)
Boil 2 oz. of the mixture in 1 pint of water until 1 cup liquid remains. Strain immediately. Take 1 tsp. 3 times a day.

Definition

Causes

Symptoms

Treatment

Herbs

Suggestions