654 CASTRATION. 



Treatment. — Generally the disease terminates fatally in a few 

 hours, and may be considered as beyond the reach of remedial 

 measures ; but if any treatment is to be adopted, it must be that 

 calculated to soothe and support, — opium, stimulants, and the 

 application of hot water to the abdomen, succeeded by mustard. 

 Bleeding, purgatives, and depressants are inadmissible. The 

 remarks of Mr. Ferguson of Dublin upon the treatment of peri- 

 tonitis are very pertinent, and ought to be carefully studied by 

 veterinary surgeons. They are to the effect that peristaltic action 

 and movement of the bowels should be arrested by opium in 

 peritonitis (see Veterinarian for 1871). If the above remedies 

 are ineffectual, the probabilities of a favourable termination are 

 very remote ; but should the acute symptoms yield, great care 

 must still be taken that the patient be subjected to no cause by 

 which a relapse may be induced. Purgatives must be withheld ; 

 the food must be of the most easily digested nature. Boiled 

 linseed, with bran well soaked in boiling water, answers admir- 

 ably, as it is calculated to keep the faeces pultaceous without 

 producing increase of the peristaltic action of the bowels. 



