306 REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 



among geldings. The passage of the intestines into the canal 

 within the groin, or other abnormal cavity, is sometimes attended 

 with stercoral matters, which, by the position at the time, are 

 favoured in their entry, but exit is impossible. As soon, there- 

 fore, as the tube is filled, pressure commences, and then follows 

 the whole train of symptoms of extreme colic. If the abnormal 

 state is not detected, death results after much suffering. 



Special symptoms are due to these cases of volvulus, intus- 

 susception, and hernia, as severe straining and rapid expulsion 

 of enemas — sighing, and even vomition, or violent retchings, 

 with severe colicky pains. 



Beyond the careful attention to diet and regimen, exercise, 

 &c, but little can be done to prevent the occurrence of the states 

 just mentioned ; when they occur after such precautionary 

 measures, some accident or abnormal condition which has been 

 brought about is the sole cause. There is also no cure after 

 they occur, except in the case of early detected hernia, when the 

 animal needs to be cast, and the gut returned, for which a 

 veterinary surgeon of skilled pretensions is only capable. 



Peritonitis. — This disease is commonlv known as in- 

 fl animation of the peritoneum, the membrane which covers all 

 the organs within the abdomen, and lines the walls of that 

 cavity. 



Causes. — Wounds either accidentally produced, or in some 

 cases when interfered with in surgical operations. That of 

 castration often causes death by producing peritonitis, which 

 continues from two to five days. The peritoneum may be affected 

 idiopathically, in the acute and chronic form, and usually is 

 involved in the disease of those organs which are covered by it. 

 It may form, however, an independent affection. 



Symptoms. — Absence of appetite, with thirst sometimes the 

 most intense. The pulse is accelerated, wiry, and hard ; tremors 

 may affect the whole body, but are usually confined to the hind 

 extremities ; the nostrils are dilated ; countenance anxious, 

 respiration laboured, and action confined principally to the chest ; 

 colicky pains are present ; the horse paws and scrapes with his 

 fore feet, looks round to the flank, and crouches ; eostiveness is 

 present, and the urine scanty and highly coloured. The animal 

 at length loses strength, the pulse becomes imperceptible, he 

 lies down about the third day, usually on one side, and dies 

 after 24 hours or so. After death is found effusion of lymph 

 between the folds of peritoneum and intestines, forming what 

 are termed false membranes, and which not uncommonly have 

 caused adhesion ; sometimes effusion of water is present to some 

 extent. 



Treatment. — Nitre should be given in the water the animal 

 drinks, and hot fomentations to the abdomen persisted in for 



