PERITONITIS. 449 



at short intervals to the flank, but the animal does not 

 roll. 



Treatment. — If well-marked peritonitis occurs, treatment 

 as a rule is not satisfactory, a large majority of cases ter- 

 minating fatally; however, there may occasionally be saved 

 by proper treatment a case which would have terminated 

 fatally if left to itself Opiates by the mouth or hypo- 

 dermically are of great service ; aconite tr. may also be of 

 considerable service in many cases. If the patient is very 

 weak, stimulants are to be given in judicious quantities and 

 at proper intervals. Counter- irritation to the abdomen is 

 also an important point in the treatment of peritonitis, and 

 one that should not be omitted ; mustard plasters, a stimu- 

 lating liniment, and blankets vvTung out of hot water, applied 

 to the abdomen, and covered with dry blankets, are all 

 good. 



ASCITES. 



Ascites consists of the presence of a quantity of effused 

 fluid in the abdominal cavity ; as a rule it is symptomatic of 

 some other condition, as diseases of the liver, kidneys, 

 chronic peritonitis, etc. It is most common amongst dogs. 



Symptoms. — The coat is staring, dry, and dusty in appear- 

 ance ; the condition known as hide-bound is present, and the 

 animal is dull and languid, sluggish in his movements, and 

 presents an unthrifty condition generally; as the disease 

 progresses the pulse becomes quicker and weaker, and the 

 abdomen becomes distended by the fluid accumulated 

 within it. The appetite, as a rule, is but slightly impaired, 

 the animal eating pretty well, but nevertheless grows weaker 

 every day ; the bowels are very irregular, diarrhoea and con- 

 stipation being alternately present. Death may occur from 

 asphyxia. 



Treatment — Diuretics should be freely given : potassium 



29 



