DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 161 



19. Peritonitis. 



Peritonitis is an inflammation of the serous membrane 

 which forms a lining to the inside of the belly and over the 

 outside of the bowels. 



Causes. — Exposure to cold after some weakening disease 

 is the more general cause. A colt who, after being castrated, 

 is allowed to remain out in a^cold rain, or to remain stand- 

 ing in a cold east wind or to walk through a river when 

 warm, is liable to develop peritonitis. It may also be the 

 result of a severe bruise on the belly. 



Symptoms. — There are indications of slight pain. The 

 patient lies down, stretches himself out and moans, sweats 

 freely if in warm weather, gets up again, moves about and 

 appears to be very weak. The breathing is heavy — almost 

 as heavy as in a case of inflammation of the lungs. The 

 pulse increases to 70 or 80 per minute but is very weak. 

 Should the disease remain unchecked the ears and legs 

 become cold. The ears lop over and there is every indica- 

 tion of extreme weakness — in fact when once down he seems 

 to have scarcely sufficient strength to regain his feet. Place 

 your ear to the side and you notice that the bowels are work- 

 ing only slightly. Press with your hand over the bowels 

 and the pressure seems to cause pain. There is no appetite 

 and the manure in many cases has a very glossy appearance. 



Treatment. — Give 



Raw Linseed Oil 1 pint. 



Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Fleming's Tincture of Aconite 5 to 10 Drops. 



Mix and give as a drench. Apply plenty of heat to the 

 belly by means of woolen blankets wrung out of hot water. 

 Follow with a mustard plaster over the bowels and a bag 

 containing a half pail of hot salt over the back. Feed soft 

 food containing plenty of flaxseed to keep the bowels regu- 

 lar. Should the pain continue to be severe after giving the 

 first drench, follow with 



Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Fleming's Tincture of Aconite 5 to 10 Drops. 



Mix in a pint of lukewarm water and give every two 

 hours as a drench until the pain is relieved. Sometimes this 

 disease is followed by dropsy — the collection of water in the 

 belly. 



