Diseases of the Digestive System. 1 99 



skin ; irregularity of the bowels, producing a discharge of 

 faeces and fluid, which is sUmy, exceedingly offensive, 

 and contains the parasites; irritation of the anus, as 

 shown by the creature licking it, or endeavourmg to 

 remove the annoyance by dragging himself in a sitting 

 posture over the ground. As these signs continue, a 

 state of general ancemia sets in, from which the animal 

 dies or otherwise recovers and goes through similar 

 suffering. Occasionally during life the worms migrate 

 from the intestines to the stomach, from which they may 

 be expelled in the resulting vomition ; instances are also 

 on record in which they have been known to pass to the 

 windpipe or lungs and produce fatal consequences. The 

 remedies for worms are numerous, formulae for which will 

 be found in Chapter VI 1 1., one of the most efficacious 

 being No. 3. p. 137. 



Peritonitis, inflammation of the peritoneum or mem' 

 brane which lines the cavity of the abdomen and invests 

 the bowels, is frequently confounded with enteritis. It 

 may be only partial ; it is more frequently complete. The 

 causes are external violence as severe blows, punctured 

 wounds, &c. ; it may also result from hernia, constipation,* 

 or exposure to damp and cold, and in females is apt to 

 follow parturition. 



Symptoms. — High fever with rapid, small, hard, and 

 sharp pulse. Pressure on the abdom.en induces severe 

 pain, and to avoid being handled the sufferer seeks a 

 quiet spot where he lies on his side, breathing with diflS- 

 culty and constant pain, as evinced by frequent sharp 

 cries. Constipation is present from the first. As the 

 disease advances these signs are aggravated, the tongue 

 is furred, dry, and offensive, thirst is great, and the urine 

 is scanty and highly coloured. The abdomen enlarges 

 from the accumulation of fluid, the legs and ears are 

 cold, and death follows coma or delirium. 



Treatment. — Continued fomentations, poultices (which 

 see) or a mild stimulating liniment may be applied to 

 the abdomen under gentle care ; leeches often prove im- 

 mediately beneficial. The only safe remedies are seda- 

 tives {see Febrifuges), especially aconite, digitalis, opium, 

 or belladonna, given every four hours as required. 



