268 CHAPTER 30. 



Unlike colic, which comes on suddenly, these diseases are usually pre- 

 ceded by dulness, want of appetite, and feverishness. The inflammatoiy 

 attack may commence either in the bowels or in the stomach, but as a 

 general rule it begins in the bowels and usually in the small intestines. 



The early symptoms are the same as those of colic, but with this 

 marked distinction, which at once shows the disease, namely the absence 

 of any intervals of ease. The pain, though in general less violent, is 

 continuous throughout, and the pulse from first to last is accelerated to 

 a high degree, to double or perhaps treble its usual number, and is wiry 

 in character. 



The further symptoms are those usual in inflammatory attacks, 

 namely cold extremities, mouth dry and either unnaturally hot or cold, 

 the respiration hurried and oppressed, visible mucous membrane injected, 

 nostrils unduly dilated, the countenance painfully anxious, the body 

 sometimes bathed in sweat and then cold, or wuth occasional tremors, 

 and the tail erect and quivering. As in colic the horse looks anxiously 

 round to his flanks. As the disease progi'esses, the pulse sinks and the 

 legs and ears feel death-like cold. The mouth feels chilly. . 



543. Causes. 



Inflammation of the intestines may occur as a sequel of colic, or it 

 may arise from continued constipation, or from any of the many causes 

 which induce indigestion, or from intussusception, calculi, or from the 

 excessive action of a purgative. It may also be brought on by a day's 

 over-hard work, or by exposure to cold when the animal is sweating,' or 

 by hernia. Pure peritonitis, as mentioned above, is occasionally caused 

 by any wound of the membrane, and often by castration. 



In the great majority of cases, however, this disease is a sequel of 

 other diseases rather than a primary affection ; and indigestion, which 

 may itself be produced by \ery many causes, will generally be found to 

 be the original affection. 



544. Treatment. 



As soon as enteritis declares itself, all irritating food should be with- 

 held, even though the appetite should exist, which, however, is impro- 

 bable. Forty-eight hours' deprivation of food, or even more will do no 

 serious harm, while it will place the bowels in the much-to-be-desired state 

 of quiescence ; and their lining membranes should be soothed, perhaps 

 sheathed by the administration of gelatinised linseed, which can be made 

 the vehicle for necessaiy medicines. The author is inclined to give the 

 linseed jelly cold, if not iced. 



In the usual development of the disease, the treatment may be safely 

 initiated by the administration of the comparatively non-irritant drench 

 of twelve to fifteen ounces of linseed oil with two drachms of opium, 

 which may be dissolved, to ensure diffusion, in about half an ounce of 

 nitric ether. 



