938 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



The Peritoneum. 



The peritoneum is the thin serous membrane which Hnes the 

 cavity of the belly, and is reflected over the organs contained 

 within it, forming a complete covering to them. It also suspends 

 and retains them in their proper relative positions by its folds and 

 reflections, vulgarly known as the caul (omenta). This mem- 

 brane also secretes a delicate serous fluid for the purpose of lubri- 

 cating the surface, so as to prevent friction during the ceaseless 

 motions of the viscera. It is also the matrix over which the 

 blood-vessels are distributed to the organs contained in the belly ; 

 hence the inflammations of these organs are apt to extend along 

 this vascular-investing membrane, constituting peritonitis. 



Peritonitis. 



Peritonitis occurs in two forms, acute and chronic. Acute 

 peritonitis, as a primary disease, is not very common in the horse. 



Causes, — It is usually caused by external violence, as from 

 being hooked by a cow's horn, or staked in j umping a fence ; it 

 also sometimes follows castration, operations for hernia, and other 

 operations involving a division of it, and occasionally from expos- 

 ure to damp and cold, especially when heated. 



Symptoms. — It usually sets in with shivering fits, general 

 uneasiness in the region of the abdomen ; quick, short breathing ; 

 pulse quick, small, and wiry ; tenderness on pressure on belly ; 

 lying down and rising frequently ; he moves about uneasily in 

 his box, and is very feverish ; the bowels are costive, and he 

 strains occasionally. The pain is not so violent as in colic or in- 

 flammation of the bowels, for which it is apt to be mistaken. 



Treatment. — Relieve the bowels by injections, give a brisk 

 purgative, as six drachms of aloes, with a drachm of calomel. 

 Drachm doses of extract of belladonna or hyoscyamus, should be 

 o-iven every hour, for three or four doses; or tincture of aconite, from 

 fifteen to twenty drops every two hours, in a little cold water, till 

 the fever is subdued. Apply smart counter-irritation to the whole 

 surface of the belly by rubbing in a strong liquid blister. The 

 treatment of peritonitis does not differ very materially from that 

 of enteritis, inflammation of the bowels, which see. 



