280 



A DICTIONARY. 



of the back sinews, or that which goes to 

 the OS pedis. 



PERiCAnDiuM. — The heart bag. (See 

 Heart, part first.) 



Pericranium. — The membrane that is 

 closely connected with the bones of the 

 head. 



Periosteum. — The investing membrane 

 of the bones. 



Peristaltic Motion. — That motion of 

 the muscular coat of the bowels which 

 causes the food and excrement to pass 

 through them. 



Peritoneum. — The membrane which 

 forms the external coat of the bowels, and 

 some other of the viscera of the abdomen; 

 it is, therefore, named the peritoneal coat 

 of the bowels. It lines, also, the internal 

 surface of the belly. 



Peritonitis. — Inflammation of the peri- 

 toneum. Diseases of the peritoneum are 

 very rare in horses, and, when treated on 

 the depleting, antiphlogistic principles of 

 allopathy, generally terminate fatally. When 

 the physiological equilibrium is interrupted, 

 and inflammation of the peritoneum ensues, 

 the available vital force is concentrated 

 upon a small region of the body. The true 

 indication is, to invite this force away from 

 that region, and to distribute it over the 

 general system, that it shall not be excessive 

 anywhere. This mode of relief we call 

 equalizing the circulation ; the allopaths 

 term it counter-irritation ; they concentrate 

 it in one spot, in the form of rowel and 

 blister, their own works will show with what 

 success.* Our principles teach us to accom- 



* Mr. Percivall details a case of peritonitis, after the 

 usual symptoms in the early stage had subsided. " The 

 horse's bowels became much relaxed : suspecting that 

 there was some disorder in the alimentary canal, and that 

 this was an effort of nature to get rid of it, I promoted 

 the diarrhoea by giving mihl doses of cathartic medicine, 

 in combination with calomel ! 



" On the third day from this, prolapsus ani (falling of 

 the fundament) made its appearance. After the return 

 of the gut, the animal grew daily duller and more de- 

 jected, manifesting evident signs of considerable inwai-d 

 disorder, though he showed none of acute pain. The 

 diarrhoea continued ; swelling of the belly and tumefac- 

 tion of the legs speedily followed. Eight pounds of blood 

 were drawn, and two ounces of oil of turpentine were 



plish the object by the stimulating influence 

 of medicated vapor, enemas, nervines, and 

 a mucilaginous diet. Whenever the disease 

 is treated by the abstraction of blood, it 

 generally terminates in dropsy. 



Perspiration. — The fluid which is se- 

 creted by the vessels of the sldn. Perspira- 

 tion is a highly important discharge in 

 horses and other animals. The best medi- 

 cine to promote sweating in the horse is a 

 tea composed of lobelia, capsicum, and pen- 

 nyroyal. 



Pharynx. — The upper part of the oesoph- 

 agus, or gullet. 



Phlegm. — A mucous liquid thrown up 

 from the lungs. 



Phrenic Nerve. — A nerve that passes 

 through the thorax, over the heart, to the 

 diaphragm. 



Phrenitis. — Inflammation of the brain. 



Physic. — In stable language, the term 

 is applied to purgative medicines. 



Physiology. — That branch of medical 

 science which describes the functions of 

 every part of the body. 



PiA Mater. — A delicate membrane, 

 that closely invests the brain. 



Pitch, Burgundy. — A resin obtained 

 from fir ; it is used in the composition of 

 plasters and charges. 



Placenta. — The afterbirth. 



Plate Vein. — A large vein that 



runs 



from the inside of the fore leg to the chest. 

 Plethora. — A fulness of vessels. Horses 

 are often brought into this state from over- 

 feeding, and want of sufficient exercise. It 

 is known by heaviness, dulness, unwilling- 

 ness to work. The urine is high-colored, 

 and the dung generally hard and slimy. 

 The cure consists in the reduction of the 

 quantity of food, warm mashes, and regular 

 exercise. 



given internally, and in spite of another bleeding, and 

 some subordinate measures, carried him off [the treat- 

 ment, we presume] in the coui'se of a few hours. 



" Dissection : a slight blush pervaded the peritoneum, 

 at least the parietal portion of it, for the coats of the stom- 

 ach and intestines preserved their natural whiteness. 

 About eight gallons of water were mcasui'ed out of the 

 belly. The abdominal viscera, as well as the thoracic, 

 showed no marks of disease." 



