DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 47 



food and drinks, such as linseed tea. If peritonitis assumes chronic 

 form the diet should be nutritious, such as selected clover hay, linseed 

 cake, grass, etc., and iodid of potassium should be given three times 

 a day in gram doses dissolved in a pint of water. 



DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN (ASCITES). 



In this disease there is a serous, or Avatery, effusion in the cavity 

 of the abdomen. 



Causes. — When old animals are fed on innutritions feed or when 

 reduced by disease, they become anemic ; in other words, their blood 

 becomes impoverished and dropsy may follow. An innutritions and 

 insufficient diet produces the same effect in young animals. It is one 

 of the results of peritonitis, and may also arise from acute or chronic 

 inflammation of the liver, such as is of common occurrence when 

 flukes are present in the liver in large numbers. Heart disease and 

 chronic limg disease may be followed by ascites. It is sometimes, in 

 calves, a symptom of infestation with worms. 



Symptoms. — A gradual increase in the size of the abdomen at its 

 lower part, while the flanks becomes hollow; pallor of the mucous 

 membrane of the mouth and ej^e; weak and sluggish gait; want of 

 appetite, and irregularity in ruminating. On percussion or tapping 

 the surface of the abdomen with the fingers, a dull sound is produced. 

 If the hand and arm are oiled and passed into the rectum as far as 

 possible, on moving the hand from one side to the other the fluctua- 

 tion caused by the presence of fluid in the abdomen may be felt. 



Treattnent. — If possible the cause must be discovered and removed. 

 The diet should be nutritious, and in those cases in which we have 

 merely to deal with anemia (the bloodless state) arising from insuffi- 

 cient diet, the use of tonics and diuretics, at the same time keeping 

 the skin warm, may bring about a gradual absorption of the fluid 

 contained in the abdomen. One of the following powders may be 

 mixed with the animal's feed three times a day; or, if there is any 

 uncertainty as to its being taken in that way, it should be mixed with 

 sirup, so as to form a paste, and smeared well back on the animal's 

 tongue with a flat wooden spoon : Carbonate of iron, 3 ounces ; pow- 

 dered gentian, 3 ounces ; powdered nitrate of potassium, 3 ounces ; mix 

 and divide into 12 powders. The administration of purgatives which 

 promote a watery discharge from the mucous surface of the bowels 

 also tends, by diminishing the serum of the blood, to bring about 

 absorption and a gradual removal of the fluid contained in the abdo- 

 men. Large doses should not be given, but moderate ones should 

 be administered morning and night, so as to produce a laxative effect 

 on the bowels for several days. To attain this end the following may 

 be used : Sulphate of soda, 8 ounces; powdered ginger, half an ounce; 

 to be mixed in 2 quarts of tepid water and given at one dose. 



