132 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



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 during most of the time 

 the standing position ; he walks uneasily about the stall. Constipa- 

 tion 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 normal, reaching from 102 to 104 F. The pulse 

 in peritonitis is rather characteristic; it is quickened, beating from 

 seventy to ninety beats per minute, and it is hard and wiry. This 

 peculiarity of the pulse occurs in inflammation of the serous mem- 

 brane, and if accompanied by colicky symptoms, and, in particular, 

 if following any injuries, 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 snort time, the inflammation assumes a chronic 

 form, in which there is an extensive effusion of water in the cavity 

 of the belly, which, as a rule, results in death. 



The treatment of peritonitis is to be somewhat like that of en- 

 teritis. 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 mer- 

 curial ointment, turpentine stupes, or even mild blisters, are recom- 

 mended. 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 re- 

 sult of subacute or chronic peritonitis, but may be due to diseases of 

 the liver, kidneys, heart, or lungs. There will be found, on opening 

 the cavity of the belly, a large collection of yellowish 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. 



Symptoms. There is slight tenderness on pressure; awkward 

 gait of the hind legs; the horse is dull, and may have occasional 

 very slight colicky pains, shown by looking back and striking at 

 the belly with the hind feet. Oftener, however, these colicky symp- 

 toms are absent. Diarrhea often precedes death, but during the 

 progress of the disease the bowels are alternately constipated and 

 loose. On percussing the abdominal walls we find that dullness ex- 

 ists to the same height on 'both sides of the belty ; by suddenly push- 

 ing or striking the abdomen we can hear the rushing or flooding 

 of water. If the case is an advanced one, the horse is potbellied to 

 the extreme, and dropsical swellings are seen under the belly and 

 upon the legs. 



Treatment is, as a rule, unsatisfactory. Saline cathartics, as 

 Epsom or Glauber's salts, and diuretics, ounce doses of saltpeter, 



