IT© THE FARM DOCTOR. 



Symptoms. — If very circumscribed there may be simply slight 

 colic, worse at one time than another, with acute pain when 

 the affected part is pressed. When more general there is 

 shivering followed by a hot stage, colic, stiffness of the hind 

 limbs, especially in the smaller animals, swelling, tension, and 

 great tenderness of the abdomen, constipation, or, in rare cases, 

 watery or even bloody diarrhoea, complete loss of appetite, 

 vomiting in animals capable of this act, quick, catching breath- 

 ing and rapid hard pulse, becoming softer, weaker, and smaller 

 when serous effusion takes place. Effusion is further attended 

 by a relief from the colics and tenderness, a more sunken eye, 

 pallid mucous membranes, deeper breathing, and a more 

 pendent belly, with a sense of fluctuation when it is handled. 

 In ruminants the right side is especially tender, and the animal 

 stands crouching with its four feet near together. The wound 

 of the abdomen usually completes the list of symptoms. 



Treatment. — The abdomen may sometimes be cupped or 

 leeched with advantage, though warm fomentations or poultices 

 (or even warm baths for small animals), followed by mustard 

 poultices, are more generally applicable. Then the preparations 

 of opium may be given in full and frequent doses to allay pain 

 and keep the bowels inactive. Well-boiled gruels may be given 

 frequently as injections, as what is thrown on the stomach is 

 usually vomited or lies unabsorbed. During recovery great 

 care must be exercised in feeding. Decoctions of linseed, or 

 well-boiled gruels of oat, barley, or rye-meal, should gradually 

 give place to soft warm bran mashes, and finally to hay and 

 ordinary food. The carnivora may have beef tea. Anodynes 

 (opium, prussic acid) may be given to relieve pain, and diu- 

 retics (nitre, digitalis, sweet spirits of nitre, etc.), employed to 

 remove the effusion. Tonics (oxide of iron, gentian, cinchona, 

 etc.), may be demanded, and occasionally mustard poultices to 

 remove tenderness. 



