86 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Symptoms. — Peritonitis is mostly preceded by a chill ; the horse is 

 not disposed to move, and, if compelled to do so, moves with a stiff or 

 sore gait; he paws with the front feet and may strike at his belly 

 with the hind ones : lies down very carefully ; as the pain is increased 

 while down, he maintains the standing position during most of the 

 time; he walks uneasily about the stall. Constipation is usually 

 present. Pressure on the belly causes acute pain, and the horse will 

 bite, strike, or kick if so disturbed; the abdomen is tucked up: the 

 extremities are fine and cold. The temperature is higher than nor- 

 mal, reaching from 102° to 104° F. The pulse in peritonitis is 

 rather characteristic; it is quickened, beating from TO to 90 beats 

 a minute, and is hard and wiry. This peculiarity of the pulse 

 occurs in inflammation of the serous membrane, and if accompanied 

 with colicky symptoms, and, in particular, if following any in- 

 juries, accidental or surgical, of the peritoneum, there is reason to 

 think that peritonitis is present. Peritonitis in the horse is mostly 

 fatal when it is at all extensive. If death does not occur in a short 

 time, the inflammation assumes a chronic form, in which there is an 

 extensive efl^usion of water in the cavity of the belly, constituting 

 what is known as ascites, and which, as a rule, results in death. 



Treatment. — The treatment of peritonitis is somewhat like that of 

 enteritis. Opium in powder. 1 to 2 drams, with calomel, one-half 

 dram, is to be given every two, three, or four hours, and constitutes 

 the main dependence in this disease. Extensive counterirritants over 

 the belly, consisting of mustard plasters, applications of mercurial 

 ointment, turpentine stupes, or even mild blisters, are recommended. 

 Purgatives must never be given during this complaint. Should we 

 desire to move the bowels, it can be done by gentle enemas, though 

 it is seldom necessary to resort even to this. 



ASCITES, OR DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN. 



This is seen as a result of subacute or chronic peritonitis, but 

 may be due to diseases of the liver, kidneys, heart, or lungs. There 

 w^ll be found, on opening the cavity of the belly, a large collection of 

 5'ellowish or reddish liquid: from a few quarts to several gallons may 

 be present. It may be clear in color, though generally it is yellowish 

 or of a red tint, and contains numerous loose flakes of coagulable 

 lymph. 



Sympt&ms. — There is slight tenderness on pressure: awkward gait 

 of the hind legs; the horse is dull, and may ha^e occasional very 

 slight colicky pains, shown by looking back and striking at the belly 

 with the hind feet. Oftener, however, these colicky symptoms are 

 absent. Diarrhea often precedes death, but during the progress of 



