240 MANUAL OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



general diseases, for example, in certain specific fevers and 

 constitutional diseases. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of peritonitis are very 

 variable. 



Acute idiopathic peritonitis is usually sudden in its onset, 

 whereas the sub-acute or chronic form is slow and in- 

 sidious in the development and manifestation of its 

 symptoms. 



The animal shows signs of abdominal pain, is restless, 

 and paws the ground with its fore-feet. The pulse is small 

 and wiry ; the respirations hurried, shallow, and thoracic, 

 and the temperature elevated. 



The abdomen is tender, sometimes exceedingly so, when 

 pressed upon, and is sometimes tympanitic. 



The appetite is lost, and ascites may be developed. 



In peritonitis following the infliction of injuries, the 

 abdominal pain is generally more severe than in the idio- 

 pathic form. 



Prognosis. — When general, peritonitis is fatal in most 

 instances. 



Morbid Anatomy. — As in the inflammation of other 

 serous membranes, the stage of congestion is followed by 

 the exudation of lymph, with or without the effusion of 

 fluid, and by the proliferation, or ' germination,' of the 

 endothelial cells which line the free surfaces of the peri- 

 toneal membrane. 



The membrane becomes thickened, not, as a rule, 

 uniformly, but especially in localized areas, in patches or 

 streaks. 



The lymph effused is yellow, forming a layer of variable 

 thickness on the surface of the peritoneum, and leads to 

 adhesions between the opposed surfaces. The adhesions 

 become more coherent by age. The fluid effused may be 

 small in amount, or abundant, especially in some forms, and 



