154 THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE PERITONEUM. — (Peritonitis.) 



The peritoneum is a serous membrane, within the abdominal 

 cavity, connected throughout the whole extent of the walls of the 

 abdomen by cellular tissue. It forms a covering also to the 

 whole of the viscera within that cavity. It is occasionally the 

 seat of peritonitis, which does not differ from inflammation of the 

 bowels ; it is the same disease located on the outer instead of 

 the inner membrane, and consists of a loss of equilibrium in the 

 circulating fluids, or a determination of blood to the parts. It is 

 supposed to arise from chilling the surface, or from mechanical 

 injuries. The treatment is the same as for inflammation of the 

 bowels ; which see. 



DIARRHOEA. 



This is not a very common disease among horses ; there is, 

 however, a kind of feculent diarrhoea that often happens among 

 gross feeders ; yet, so long as it does not continue any length of 

 time, nor prostrate the patient, it is rather salutary than other- 

 l— wise ; it is the only means by which the system can be relieved 

 of the superabundant carbon which the depraved feeder often 

 takes into his stomach at a time when there is no need of it ; 

 so that we should not be over-hasty in checking a diarrhoea of 

 this description. A case which may serve as a warning to some 

 occurred in this city some time since. The subject, a valuable 

 dapple-colored stud, had an attack of feculent diarrhoea ; it had 

 been on him about twelve hours, when the owner called on us, 

 and stated that he wished to have the diarrhoea stopped, as he 

 must ride the animal on the day following in a military proces- 

 sion. "We represented to him the danger that might arise from 

 suddenly arresting active peristaltic action, but our advice was 

 not heeded. " Stop the diarrhoea is all I ask of you ; I risk the 

 consequences," said the owner; and accordingly we prescribed 

 the following medicine : — 



Powdered white oak bark, ... 1 ounce, 



" bayberry, 1 ounce, 



" charcoal, 4 ounces. 



" gum kino, £ ounce. 



