DISEASES OF THE PERITONEUM. 241 



holds flakes of lymph in suspension. Sometimes it is puru- 

 lent or contains blood. 



Treatment. — In strong plethoric animals, blood may be 

 abstracted in acute peritonitis, and internally Fleming's 

 tincture of aconite, with full doses of opium, or the hypo- 

 dermic injection of morphia is indicated in order to allay 

 the pain, and to quiet the movements of the intestines. 



Locally hot fomentations should be applied to the 

 abdomen, and may be followed up by the use of stimulating 

 liniments containing opium. 



To the water or gruel which may be allowed freely to 

 allay the thirst, solution of acetate of ammonium, or 

 other saline medicine may be added. After abatement 

 of the acute symptoms, half-drachm doses of digitalis 

 with nitric ether, and solution of ammonium acetate may 

 be given every three or four hours. 



In chronic cases, good nutritious diet and careful atten- 

 tion to the sanitary condition are of first importance. 

 Internally, vegetable and mineral tonics take the place of 

 the bleeding and sedatives recommended in the acute form. 

 If there be much abdominal pain, it may be combated by 

 the administration of opium or morphia in small doses. 



Stimulating liniments may be applied to the abdo- 

 men. 



ASCITES. — Etiology. — The presence of serous fluid in 

 the peritoneum is termed ascites {a(S-Aog, a leather bag, or 

 wine skin). This condition is often associated with anasarca, 

 or general dropsy, and may be due to a variety of causes : 



1. Chronic peritonitis. 



2. Disease of the walls or valves of the heart. 



3. Obstruction of the portal circulation, from disease of 

 the liver. 



4. Renal disease. 



5. Enlargement, or other disease of the spleen. 



16 



