338 INFLAMMATIONS. 



ing watery enlargement of the belly, from a collection of serous 

 fluid, which is thrown out in consequence of the pressure on the 

 veins, as they return through the liver. The skin is " hide-bound," 

 the hair dull and awry, and the dog looks thin and wretched. 

 The treatment consists in the use of small doses of mercury, or 

 podophyllin, according to the state of the liver (1) or (18) ; or some- 

 times ipecacuanha may be given instead of the mercury, in half- 

 grain doses. It requires a long time, however, to act, and will 

 suffice only in very mild cases. The red iodide of mercury mixed 

 with lard, may be rubbed into the side, one drachm to one ounce 

 of the lard, or the embrocation (42) or (43) may be used instead. 

 Gentle exercise may be given at the same time, and mild farinace- 

 ous food, with a small quantity of weak broth. After a time, as 

 the liver begins to act, shown by the yellow color of the faeces, the 

 disease relaxes, and the mercury may be dispensed with. As a 

 general thing, however, considerable time elapses before the 

 stomach recovers its tone. A strong decoction of dandelion roots 

 boiled in water and strained, may be given for this purpose, the 

 dose being half a teacupful, administered every morning. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 



Four varieties of inflammation of the bowels are met with, viz.: 1, 

 acute inflammation of the peritonaeal coat ; 2, spasms of the mus- 

 cular coat, attended with con!^estl<m or inflammation, and known 

 as colic ; 3, inflammation of the mucous coat, attended by diarrhoea; 

 and 4, chronic inflammation, generally followed by constipation. 

 Acute inflammation of the peritonaeal coat is known as perito- 

 nitis and enteritis, according as its attacks are confined to the mem- 

 brane lining the general cavity, or to that covering the intestines ; 

 but, as there is seldom one without more or less of the other, tliere 

 is little practical use in the distinction. The symptoms arc very 

 severe. They are indicated by shivering, fevcrishness, cold dry 

 nose, ears, and legs, hot breath, and anxious expression — showing 

 evidence of pain, which is increased on pressing the bowels with 



