PERITONITIS. 171 



itself. Hence, the great secret in the treatment of pelvic 

 abscess is to make two free openings, one above, at the point 

 of tlie soft abscess, and the other within from four to six 

 inches of the hock on the outside of the thigh. Then take 

 a smooth elastic twig or a long piece of whalebone nicely 

 smoothed with sand-paper, and introduce into the opening 

 above, and gently force it down to within an inch or so of 

 the lower opening. This being done, the pus will all dis- 

 charge itself from the lower hole. Then inject with a 

 small syringe, once a day, for a few days, about half a 

 tablespoonful of the following mixture : Oil of turpentine 

 and olive oil, equal parts. Keep the parts clean, feed the 

 mare and colt well, and leave nature to complete the cure. 



Penis Hanging out. — This a serious defect, and is 

 the result of weakness and debility. The organ of genera- 

 tion is Aveak, the sheath swells, clasping the penis in its 

 grasp until it also becomes enlarged, and in most cases 

 will not draw into its place again, so that it . must either 

 remain so or be cut off close to the prepuce or sheath. 

 This affection and the opposite conditions, Phymosis and 

 Paraphymosis, were very prevalent amongst the horses of 

 the army, in the late war. 



Peristaltic. — A term applied to the serpentine motion 

 of the bowels, one portion contracting and forcing its 

 contents onward into the next. 



Peritonitis. — Inflammation of the peritoneum, or the 

 serous membrane which lines the walls or inside of the 

 belly, characterized by great pain, and is the result of 

 accidents or injuries, and, at times, surgical operations. 



Trealment. The same as for any disease of an exalted 

 kind, using aconite root, cold water and pure air, and after 

 the pain and fever have subsided, good feeding. 



