198 DADDS VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



Those who follow such advice as this would be very apt to lose 

 their patients, either through the direct influence of meddlesome 

 medication, or by converting peritonitis into dropsy of the abdo- 

 men. But let us see what Watson says on the subject of the 

 treatment of peritonitis : 



" Most writers whose worth I am acquainted with recommend 

 purgatives as highly serviceable in peritonitis. I do not think the 

 good which they are calculated to do, as antiphlogistic remedies, 

 can at all be put in competition with the harm that I am per- 

 suaded they mav produce, by increasing the peristaltic action of 

 the intestines, and so causing additional friction and tension of 

 the inflamed membrane. I believe that in all cases of well-marked 

 and pure peritonitis, when the inflammation is limited to the se- 

 rous membrane, it is far better and safer to restrain than to solicit 

 the internal movements of the alimentary tube." 



In human practice, physicians, instead of giving purgatives, 

 resort to the use of narcotics, in view of tranquilizing the system, 

 and for the purpose of mitigating the intense pain which exists 

 during' the acute attack. 



Symptoms. — The most marked symptoms of peritonitis are as 

 follows : In the early stage, the animal paws slightly, but not 

 with that sort of viciousness which is characteristic of colic or 

 strangulation of the intestines. Soon, he shows febrile symptoms , 

 the pulse runs up to seventy* or more, and a shivering fit sets in. 

 Then pressure is made on the abdomen, the animal evinces signs 

 < f pain. He will sometimes get down and lie on his jack, but 

 •ie soon finds out that the best way of lessening his pains and 

 aches is to keep as quiet as possible. His tongue is usually coated, 

 and the bowels are inactive 



Treatment. — Give the patient mucilaginous drinks, as in the case 

 of enteritis, and drench him occasionally with an infusion of poppy- 

 heads, in pint doses. Empty the rectum by means of soap-suds 

 enemas, and then throw in a quart of infusion of hops. Cloths, 

 wet with warm water, should be applied to the abdomen, and the 

 surface of the body should be kept warm by means of blankets. 

 This kind of treatment, with good nursing, will probably restore 

 the aniinai to health. Should symptoms of dropsy set u, give two 

 ounces of fluid extract of buchu, daily. 



