SECTION XIII. 



DISEASES OF THE PERITONEUM. 



1. Ascites, 



Dropsy ; abdominal dropsy; liydrops ascites. 



This is a comparatively common ailment among 

 sheep on the western range, and is not a disease in 

 itself, but the visible symptom of some chronic 

 affection of a vital organ of the body, such as the 

 heart, the kidneys, the lungs, the mesenteric 

 glands or the portal vein. 



It is the term applied to the collection of serous 

 fluid found in the peritoneum not due to inflam- 

 mation. 



Under the general head of ascites may be men- 

 tioned hydremia, which is an increase of the fluid 

 parts of the blood with a corresponding lessening 

 of the solid constituents. This frequently is seen 

 in parasitic invasions, or in chronic lead or zinc 

 poisoning, and is known among sheepmen of cer- 

 tain localities as "dry rot." 



Symptoms: These are self-evident, but the fol- 

 lowing facts should be kept in mind: 



a. Gradual enlargement, especially a bulging 

 out posterior to the last pair of ribs. In shorn 

 sheep this is very noticeable. 



b. Palpation of the lower part of the abdomen 

 produces the typical dull sounds, indicating the 

 presence of fluid, while the upper part is tense, 

 light and gives a drum-like sound. 



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