ENTERITIS. 199 



more than three cases of it among many thousands of diseased dogs. Two 

 of these cases were idiopathic ; one being apparently occasioned by exposure 

 to cold air all night ; in the other the cause was obscure. The third was of 

 that kind called sympathetic, and arose from extreme injury done to one of 

 the feet. In each of these cases the convulsive spasm was extreme, and 

 the rigidity universal but not intense. In one case the jaw was only par- 

 tially locked. Both warm and cold bathings were tried. Large doses of 

 opium and camphor were given by the mouth, and also thrown up in 

 clysters. The spine of one was blistered. Stimulating frictions were ap- 

 plied to all, but in neither case with any salutary effect." a 



ENTERITIS. 



Enteritis, or inflammation of the intestines, is a disease to which dogs 

 are very liable. It may be produced by the action of several causes. The 

 intestines of the dog are peculiarly irritable, and subject to take on inflam- 

 matory action, and this tendency is often much increased by the artificial 

 life which they lead. It is a very frequent complaint among those dogs that 

 are much petted. A cold temperature is also a common cause of disease in 

 these dogs. 



I was consulted with regard to a dog who was hiding himself in a cold, 

 dark corner, paved with stone. Every now and then he lifted his head and 

 uttered a howl closely resembling that of a rabid dog. He fixed his gaze 

 intently upon me, with a peculiarity of expression which many would have 

 mistaken for rabid. They, however, who have had the opportunity of 

 seeing many of these cases will readily perceive the difference. The con- 

 junctiva is not so red, the pupil is not so dilated, and the dog appears to 

 implore pity and not to menace evil. 



In this state, if the dog is approached, he will not permit himself to be 

 touched until he be convinced that no harm is intended. A peculiar 

 slowness attends each motion ; his cries are frequent and piteous ; his 

 belly hot and tender ; two cords, in many cases, seem to run longitudinally 

 from the chest to the pubis, and on these he cannot bear the slightest 

 pressure. He abhors all food ; but his thirst for water, and particularly 

 cold water, is extreme ; he frequently looks round at his flanks, and the 

 lingering gaze is terminated by a cry or groan. In the majority of cases 

 there is considerable costiveness ; but, in others, the bowels are freely opened 

 from the beginning. 



The peritoneal inflammation is sometimes pure, but oftener involves 

 the muscular coat of the intestines. Its prevailing cause is exposure to 

 cold, especially after fatigue, or lying on the wet stones or grass. Now 

 and then it is the result of neglected rheumatism, especially in old and 

 petted dogs. 



The treatment is simple. Bleed until the pulse falters, put the animal 

 in a warm bath, and let the belly be gently rubbed while the dog is in the 

 water, and well fomented afterwards ; the drink should consist of warm 

 broth, or warm milk and water. The bleeding should be repeated, if little 

 or unsatisfactory relief is obtained ; and the examination of the rectum with 

 the finger, and the removal of any hardened faeces that may have accumu- 

 lated there, and the cautious use of enemata, neither too stimulating nor too 



Elaine's Canine Pathology, p. 151. 



