DROPSY OF THE PERITOXEUM. 587 



are probably more dangerous, from their liability through their 

 free necks to become entangled around and cause strangula- 

 tion of the intestine. 



These unnatural growths, even when troublesome, may only 

 be guessed at ; they cannot be diagnosed. The symptoms to 

 which they give rise are only indicative of some interference 

 with or change of a particular organ or structure, not of the 

 character of the interfering agent. 



Any treatment having reference to the existence of these 

 can only resolve itself into that of deahng with the symptoms 

 which they through their character, position, and relation to 

 particular functions and organs may develop. 



III. Ascites — Deopsy of the Peritoneum. 



Definition. — A collection of serous fluid, usually of gradual 

 accmnulation, in the cavity of the '/peritoneum. 



Pathology. — The presence of fluid to an abnormal extent in the 

 abdominal cavity has, ever since animals were examined after 

 death with a view to the obtaining of information regarding con- 

 ditions of disease evidenced during life, been a recognised fact 

 long prior to any attempts to formulate its symptomatology. 



a. Causation. — That this localized dropsy may occur as an 

 active abnormal condition, independent of structural changes 

 save such as are connected with the peritoneal membrane, is 

 abundantly evident. In these it may be regarded as a sequel 

 of chronic peritonitis, probably resulting, as has ah-eady been 

 said, from cold, exposure, insufficient food and shelter, ope- 

 rating upon the young rather than the adult, they being the 

 animals more particularly exposed to these influences. 



More frequently, however, ascites may be regarded as a 

 passive condition, and developed in connection with disease of 

 other organs, chief of which are — (1) Disease aflecting the 

 walls or valvular structures of the heart, tending to venous 

 obstruction, and often accompanied with oedema of the limbs 

 or general anasarca ; (2) Functional disturbance, or textural 

 alterations of the liver, by which the free passage of blood in 

 the portal vein is obstructed ; (3) Renal diseases, which are 

 often complicated with cardiac disorders; (4) Enlargement 

 and other structural changes of the spleen ; (5) Adventitious 

 deposits and morbid new formations on the omentum and 



